Bama the manatee tracked as oil spreads

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - As thousands of gallons of oil leak into the Gulf every day, a lot of people are worried about how the oil will affect marine life. Dr. Ruth Carmichael is particularly concerned about one manatee.

"The first animal that we tagged, that's ever been tagged in Alabama waters, the first manatee, is an animal that became dubbed Bama," she said.

Bama the manatee was tagged this past September in the Spanish River, just north of the Causeway.

Marine biologists said she left Mobile Bay and migrated to Florida for the winter, but now she's on her way back to the Gulf. Biologists at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab are afraid she and other manatees may run into oil during their journey.

"We know that she's not the only animal out there. She represents maybe the leading edge of manatees that are actually making their way back. They don't travel in pods or herds like some other marine mammals, so they do tend to travel more individually or in small numbers. But we think it's very likely that she's just reflective of other animals that are also making the same regular seasonal migration," said Dr. Carmichael.

Dr. Carmichael foresees major problems if manatees and other marine life migrate into the path of incoming oil.

"There are certainly risks of intoxication and ultimately death, and we're certainly worried about even some ingestion of the oil because they're drinking the water and they're eating from the water," she said.

She also said the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Services to put together a response plan if that happens.

"If they were in an acute situation, we would be looking at experts coming in from other places to lead those response efforts and we would help out as much as we possibly could," Dr. Carmichael added.

That response plan would also cover other large aquatic animals, like turtles and dolphins.

By tagging marine mammals, biologists know exactly where the animals are in relation to the oil. this way, they can use them as a gauge to tell where other marine animals might be, and rescue them if needed.

If you see a manatee, call the Dauphin Island Sea Lab at 251-861-2141.

If you see any wildlife in oil, call 1-866-557-1401 to report it.