Assessing the effects of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill on bald eagles

Schempt PF and Bowman TD. 1990. Assessing the effects of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill on bald eagles

Numbers of bald eagles along the coast from Cape Spencer to Homer were estimated during the last two weeks of April, 1989. The survey found 3230 adult eagles in this area, with 2256 of these eagles in Prince William Sound, 452 west of the Sound along the Kenai Peninsula and the remainder east of the Sound in areas not affected by the spill. There was no significant difference in numbers found during this survey and a similar survey conducted in 1982, suggesting that no measurable mortality had occured prior to this survey. However, 144 dead bald eagles were picked up during the course of response activities in the oil spill area indicating that some, as yst undetermined, level of mortality occured during the past summer. A second survey will be needed to establish the extent of mortality.

Type
Unpublished Report
Authors
Schempt, Philip; Bowman, Timothy
Date of Issue
1990-01-12
Units
KATM
Keywords
Alaska, Bald Eagles, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Preliminary status report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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