Zoo experts from around the nation will gather in D.C. on Tuesday for a briefing on the wildlife rescue efforts in response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Personnel from more than 50 zoos and aquariums belonging to the Silver-Spring based Association of Zoos and Aquariums are responding in the Gulf with resources and hands-on expertise.
Dan Boritt, acting curator of the Bird House at the National Zoo, will attend Tuesday’s briefing. He says no one from the National Zoo has been sent to the Gulf coast — yet. Boritt said the Smithsonian staff members have completed BP online training modules and are gearing up for more hazardous materials training to learn how to handle the toxic oil and animals.
“They’ve been inundated with volunteers,” Borritt said. “I hope we don’t get called because that means the situation doesn’t warrant it.”
