Galapogos spill threat recedes
by Yohann on 25 January 2001 @ 01:59 PM
An oil slick threatening the unique wildlife of Galapogos Islands was being pushed out to sea by strong winds and currents last night. Earlier, as the 390sq mile spill came within half-a-mile of the shore of the western-most islands, the authorities in Ecuador declared a state of emergency.But last night, the country's environment minister Rodolfo Rendon said the oil was being pushed to the north-west and broken up.Nonetheless, he warned that the currents were unpredictable and the danger had not yet passed. 'It's a very serious ecological problem but it's not a disaster,' he added.So far, 30 pelicans, four sea lions and seven boobies have been caught in the oil. One seagull has died.Up to 250,000 gallons of diesel and boat fueld have plit from the tanker, Jessica, which ran aground last week. A tens-strong team from the US coastguard has arrived to pump out the remaining fuel from the tanker - but, according to one report, that operation ran into difficulties.Ecuadorean authorities have applied 3,000 gallons of chemical dispersants and 1,000 gallons of absorbents, and put up a fence to try to keep the toxic substances from reaching nearby Santa Fe Island.The operation is costing the cash-starved government £300,000.There are hopes the damage to wildlife will be minimal. 'It is a superficial film. We're not talking about something very thick,' said Admiral Gonzalo Vega, director of the Ecuador's Merchant Marine.However, other experts fear damage to the islands' delicate ecosystem will only come to light later.
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