A project studying the ongoing effects of Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Mesker Park Zoo participated in conservation research in March 2011 by sending its veterinarian, Dr. Maria Spriggs, to Prince William Sound to perform surgery on Harlequin ducks. 

The goal of the project is to find out if Harlequin ducks in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska are still being exposed to oil from the Exxon Valdez spill that occurred in 1989.  Dr. Spriggs joined project leader Dan Esler, Ph.D. of Simon Fraser University in Canada, and a team of biologists for a week onboard a boat to capture 45 Harlequin ducks.  Half of the ducks were captured in un-oiled areas of the sound, and half from known oiled areas.  The boat’s kitchen table was transformed into a surgery table under “field conditions”.  Each duck was anesthetized with gas and a small liver biopsy was obtained.  The biologists obtained various measurements and feather samples.  The ducks were released from the boat after fully recovering.

Results from the 2011 data revealed both good news and bad news.  The good news is that exposure in the oiled areas of PWS has decreased in these ducks since 2009.  The bad news is that there is still significantly more oil exposure present in these areas than in the un-oiled areas of the sound.
	The Exxon Valdez oil spill is recognized as a major environmental disaster.  Scientific studies on the long-term effects of the spill are ongoing.  The results of this project (which has been collecting data for 20+years) provides data that can used to make legal and legislative decisions involving Exxon and the environment of the Sound.
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden generously supported this project in donating veterinary time and expertise.  This project is another example of Mesker Park Zoo’s commitment to conservation of our national wildlife.