Response Experience
 

  • Inland Response History

  • Maritime Response History

  • Globally Significant Response Experience

  • Species Expertise summary

I can attest that Focus Wildlife has been exceedingly collaborative, efficient and shows strong leadership and skills in the development and rapid deployment and delivery of oiled wild animal rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release. In addition, their involvement has been global and delivered under all manner or circumstances.
— Dr. Helen Schwantje, DVM, MSc, Wildlife Veterinarian, BC Ministry of Environment

Inland Response history

Inland incidents can impact a variety of taxa, including reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.  Wildlife response during inland events must be multi-faceted and requires significant expertise with the diversity of species and their specialized care.


Ferndale Refinery Incident—Bellingham, WA (2022)
Focus Wildlife was hired to assess wildlife impacts resulting from a weather-related release of product from circulating to retention pond. In addition, Focus Wildlife made recommendations for both on-site management of wildlife, as well as deterrence strategies.

Salmon River Response—Kootenay, BC, Canada (2019)
A tanker truck crash on the Kootenay Pass resulted in the release of product into the Salmo River. Focus Wildlife was hired to conduct a wildlife impact assessment and make recommendations regarding the potential threat, including endangered wildlife.

Husky Refinery—Superior, WI (2018) A fire and subsequent explosion ruptured several oil storage tanks containing asphalt and crude products. Wildlife habitat on refinery grounds was impacted, contaminating numerous birds and mammals. Focus Wildlife was hired to capture and rehabilitate oiled wildlife, pre-emptively capture and relocate at-risk breeding waterfowl, and to develop and implement a deterrent program for the duration of clean-up operations.

Refinery Incident Response—Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (2017)
Due to a malfunctioning oil tank valve and a defective sump pump, product was released into an adjacent creek transiting the tank farm. Several beaver lodges were impacted but no wildlife directly affected. Focus Wildlife was activated to conduct a wildlife impact assessment and implement deterrence operations.

16 TAN N. Saskatchewan River Release—Saskatchewan, Canada (2016)
A pipeline rupture released approximately 60,000 gallons of bitumen and diluent into the North
Saskatchewan River. The river and shoreline areas provide habitat for aquatic mammals, reptiles
and thousands of migratory birds. Focus Wildlife managed the wildlife response,
including all aspects of wildlife deterrence, search and capture, facility development and wildlife rehabilitation. Focus Wildlife also served on the wildlife planning team and developed protocols for decontaminating impacted beaver lodges throughout the river system.

White Center Pond Release—Washington, USA (2015)
An accidental release of canola oil impacted an urban pond and wetland area that provided habitat to migratory waterfowl. Focus Wildlife conducted a wildlife impact assessment, search and rescue field operations and rehabilitation for captured wildlife.

Sulphur Creek Release—Washington, USA (2015)
An above ground storage tank near Sunnyside, WA failed, sending as much as 3,500 gallons of used motor oil into Sulphur Creek and the Yakima River. Focus Wildlife conducted a wildlife impact assessment, performed deterrence, search and rescue field operations and rehabilitation for captured animals.

Asphalt Plant Release—Washington, USA, 2014
Focus Wildlife was contracted by an asphalt plant to provide wildlife deterrence and response services after 20,000 gallons of heated asphalt was released into an industrial drainage ditch. The spill occurred due to a failed valve during the transfer from a rail tank car to an above ground storage tank at their facility. Focus Wildlife conducted deterrence operations and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife throughout the course of cleanup operations.

Pipeline Release—Alberta, Canada (2013-2014)
Focus Wildlife was contracted by industry to provide wildlife deterrence and response services after a pipeline ruptured spilling an estimates 120,000 liters of light synthetic crude oil into a creek and lake in northern Alberta. Focus Wildlife managed deterrence operations and wildlife planning throughout the course of cleanup operations.

Mining Reservoir Release—Québec, Canada (2013)
450,000 liters of oil were released during a failed reservoir transfer to a mining company. The spill oiled 8 kilometers of shoreline and water along the St Lawrence River, threatening a nearby marine bird sanctuary. Focus Wildlife was hired by the mining company to rehabilitate and clean oiled wildlife and to partner with and manage local area biologists in providing search and rescue activities.

Tank 3013 Release—Oklahoma, USA (2013)
Focus Wildlife was contracted by industry to provide wildlife management and response
services following a release of oil into a retention pond and nearby body of water providing habitat for reptiles, waterfowl and aquatic mammals.

Potash Refinery Release—Saskatchewan, Canada (2013)
Focus Wildlife was contracted by industry to provide wildlife response services following a release of oil into a large salt lake. Wildlife had been captured and transferred to a local veterinarian and rehabilitator. Focus Wildlife’s assistance was requested to rehabilitate the animals in care and provide training for local wildlife rehabilitators involved in the initial care.

Automotive Factory Pond Incident—Ohio, USA (2013)
Focus Wildlife was hired to provide oiled wildlife response services to wildlife impacted by an oil spill into a retention pond in Whitehouse, Ohio. Focus Wildlife worked with a local wildlife rehabilitator to train staff in oiled wildlife care and rehabilitation.

Point Wells Refinery Incident—Washington, USA (2012)
Focus Wildlife provided wildlife response services following a remediation project that released a mixture of weathered oils into a construction area.

Auburn Retention Pond Incident—Washington, USA (2012)
Focus Wildlife provided oiled wildlife response services to wildlife impacted by an oil spill into a retention pond in Auburn, Washington.

Southmere Village Park Wildlife Impact Assessment, British Columbia, Canada (2011)
Focus Wildlife was hired by the city of Surrey to a conduct a wildlife impact assessment
following a mystery substance impacting waterfowl.

Line 6B Release—Michigan, USA (2010-2011)
Focus Wildlife provided comprehensive wildlife management, facility development, and response services following a pipeline leak that released over 800,000 gallons of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River. The wildlife response effort recovered and treated 2,900 birds, amphibians and reptiles, and encompassed an overwintering program for several hundred freshwater turtles.

Line 6A Release—Illinois, USA (2010)
Focus Wildlife provided wildlife response, rehabilitation and facility development services following a pipeline leak that released crude oil into a retention pond that provided habitat to various populations of wildlife.

Boss Hill Creek Pipeline Release—Manitoba, Canada (2010)
Focus Wildlife was contracted following a pipeline leak in Manitoba. The product entered a creek that provided habitat for a multitude of wildlife species. Focus Wildlife provided impact assessment, deterrence and remediation consultation services to the client.

Odessa Pipeline Release—Saskatchewan, Canada (2009)
Focus Wildlife was contracted following a pipeline leak in Saskatchewan. The product affected habitat that could potentially impact wildlife. Focus Wildlife provided impact assessment, deterrence and remediation consultation services to the client with the priority being reduction of impact to wildlife.

Tank 82 Release—British Columbia, Canada (2009)
Focus Wildlife Canada was contracted following an accidental tank farm release in British Columbia. The product was successfully contained on the spill site, but affected a storm water retention pond used by migratory and local wildlife. Focus Wildlife Canada provided wildlife response management, personnel and equipment for the response effort and a full deterrence and mitigation program.

Oiled Livestock Pipeline Incident—Alberta, Canada (2008)
Focus Wildlife Canada provided response services to cattle that were oiled during a pipeline rupture. Focus Wildlife provided personnel for assessment and cleaning of affected cows, bulls and calves.

Oil Sands Pipeline Incident—Alberta, Canada (2008)
Focus Wildlife Canada was contracted by four mining companies to provide response services to wildlife impacted in the oil sands region of Alberta. The rehabilitation program was operated out of a temporary wildlife response facility in Edmonton.

Lake Wabamun Train Derailment—Alberta, Canada (2005)
Focus Wildlife was hired following a train derailment in Wabamun, Alberta. Over 80 tons of Bunker C was released into Wabamun Lake, impacting over 1,000 aquatic birds and mammals. The wildlife response, lasting over 3 months, operated out of a temporary oiled wildlife rehabilitation facility specifically mobilized by Focus Wildlife for this effort. Focus Wildlife continued to provide reconnaissance and hazing services over the following year to deter wildlife from high-risk areas.


Maritime Response History

Maritime incidents can impact highly specialized wildlife species including pelagic birds and marine mammals.  Wildlife response during maritime events requires significant expertise with species specific care for marine wildlife.


F/V Aleutian Isle (2022)
In August of 2022, a fishing vessel sank of the west coast of San Juan Island. A Unified Command was established to address pollution control and to oversee the salvage of the vessel. Focus Wildlife’s services were secured to provide an initial wildlife impact assessment. Based on the results of that assessment, Focus Wildlife developed a wildlife monitoring and deterrence plan that was executed to successfully protect area Marbled Murrelets and other marine species from pollution release events throughout the salvage operations.

M/V Sheidick/Bligh Island Incident Response—Nootka Sound, BC, Canada (2020-2021)
Focus Wildlife was contracted to provide wildlife response services related to product removal from a historic shipwreck in Nootka Sound. Wildlife operations extended over a 6 month period, including impact assessment, reconnaissance, monitoring, deterrence, recovery and facility assessment. Focus Wildlife also participated in trajectory modeling activities to help inform cleanup and wildlife protection strategies.

M/V Manolis L. (2018) Focus Wildlife was hired by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to write a wildlife response plan to support oil removal and salvage operations of the sunken ship Manolis L. (Twillingate, Newfoundland). In addition to the contingency plan, DFO hired Focus Wildlife to provide technical expertise and operational support to Incident Command during salvage operations.

M/V Bow Jubail—Rotterdam, Netherlands (2018) In June of 2018, the Odfjell tanker Bow Jubail struck a jetty at the Port of Rotterdam, rupturing her hull and releasing an estimated 220 tons of heavy fuel oil into the water. A cooperative effort between Dutch and European wildlife responders, Aiuká (Brazil), and Focus Wildlife resulted in the successful rehabilitation and release of nearly 500 swans in four weeks.

Seaforth Channel Incident—British Columbia, Canada (2016)
On Oct. 13, 2016 the Nathan E. Stewart ran aground on a reef at the entrance to Seaforth Channel north of Athlone Island, leaking an estimated amount of 100,000 liters of marine diesel fuel. Focus Wildlife was notified by the Canadian Coast Guard of the incident and subsequently hired by Kirby Maritime to provide the initial wildlife impact assessment. Until the tug was salvaged, Focus Wildlife conducted daily wildlife monitoring and also served as the Wildlife Branch Director, providing wildlife planning management services.

M/V Marathassa—British Columbia, Canada (2015)
Focus Wildlife was contracted by the Canadian Coast Guard after 2,700 litres of Bunker C spilled from bulk carrier cargo ship Marathassa. Focus Wildlife was contracted to provide a wildlife impact assessment, wildlife management planning, search and rescue, and wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Focus Wildlife’s Response Planning Manager was active in the Wildlife Branch for the duration of the incident.

Squamish Marina Release—British Columbia, Canada (2014)
A 112-year-old tugboat sank near the government dock in Squamish, B.C. spilling up to 1,500 liters of diesel fuel into the waters of Mamquam Blind Channel. Focus Wildlife was hired by Environment Canada/ Canadian Wildlife Services to conduct a wildlife impact assessment and evaluate the potential impact to wildlife in the area.

MG Zalinski Oil Lightering Operation—British Columbia, Canada (2013)
Focus Wildlife worked with Canadian Coast Guard, Environment Canada and British Columbia Ministry of Environment during planning and operations to remove oil from the sunken Brigadier General M.G. Zalinski in Grenville Channel, British Columbia. Focus Wildlife wrote the incident specific wildlife response plan and a bird hazing and deterrence plan for the Environmental Unit of the Incident Command System. Focus developed and presented incident specific wildlife response training for First Nations members involved in the response. Focus staff members implemented monitoring protocols for documenting wildlife resources at risk and served on the Environmental Field Assessment Team during oil removal operations. This partnership effort with numerous Federal and Provincial agencies and First Nations resulted in successful and transparent field operations.  Additionally, Focus provided full wildlife response capability during the lightering operation.

Hylebos Waterway Wildlife Impact Assessment —Washington, USA (2013)
Focus Wildlife was hired by the Washington Department of Ecology to a conduct a wildlife impact assessment following the sinking of M/V Helena Star in the Hylebos waterway. This oil spill threatened numerous species of pelagic birds and waterfowl, marine mammals (harbor seals), and a sensitive, newly restored 30-acre wetland area.

Deepwater Horizon—Gulf of Mexico, USA (2010)
Focus Wildlife’s Response Planning Manager served as Deputy Wildlife Branch Director for wildlife operations in the Louisiana Incident Command Center (Houma), providing direction and planning efforts for response to oiled migratory birds during the incident. Additionally, Focus Wildlife’s Program Manager provided on the ground expertise for oiled wildlife search and collection efforts in the Gulf during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.

Moss Landing Mystery Spill—California, United States (2008)
Focus Wildlife’s Operations Manager was hired by the SPCA of Monterey County and the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) to oversee and manage wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Wildlife had been contaminated by an unknown source.

M/V New Carissa Salvage—Oregon, United States (2008)
Focus Wildlife was hired by NRC Environmental Services to conduct impact assessment activities for the duration of the M/V New Carissa salvage operation on the coast of Oregon.

Leroy Barge Oiled Wildlife Impact Assessment—British Columbia, Canada (2007)
Focus Wildlife was contracted by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment to provide initial oiled wildlife impact assessment services following an oil spill on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The spill contaminated the ecologically sensitive habitat of Robson Bight, including an ecological reserve for threatened resident Orca whales.

Westridge Pipeline Release—British Columbia, Canada (2007)
Focus Wildlife Canada was contracted by industry following an accidental pipeline release in Burnaby, BC. The product reached the Burrard Inlet and impacted wildlife in the area. Focus Wildlife Canada provided wildlife response management, personnel and equipment for the response effort, including search and collection, facility development and rehabilitation.

Heibei Spirit Oiled Wildlife Impact Assessment—South Korea (2007)
Focus Wildlife provided consultation services to Birds Korea on wildlife impact assessment and response issues following the Heibei Spirit oil spill in South Korea, near the Taean Peninsula. This oil spill threatened the sensitive habitats and ecological diversity of the Geum Estuary and Yubu Island.

M/V Westwood Anette Oiled Wildlife Response—British Columbia, Canada (2006)
Focus Wildlife was contracted by the ship-owner following a collision and product release in Squamish, affecting the harbor and surrounding marsh/tidal lands. Recovered birds were stabilized and transferred to a temporary oiled wildlife rehabilitation facility in Vancouver set up by Focus Wildlife, where they were rehabilitated and released.

M/V Andre Oiled Wildlife Response—British Columbia, Canada (2006)
While fueling the grain cargo carrier “Andre” a hose came loose spilling an undetermined amount of bunker C into the Vancouver harbor. Focus Wildlife was the wildlife response contractor for the incident. Recovered wildlife was rehabilitated at a temporary oiled wildlife rehabilitation facility set up by Focus Wildlife in Vancouver.

M/V Queen of the North Oiled Wildlife Impact Assessment—British Columbia, Canada (2006)
Focus Wildlife provided technical assistance services to agency personnel during the cleanup effort of the ferry sinking regarding oiled impact issues in Wright Sound near Prince Rupert, BC, Canada.

Dalco Passage Oiled Wildlife Response—Washington, United States (2005)
Focus Wildlife provided oiled wildlife response services to wildlife impacted by a mystery oil spill in Dalco Passage, Washington. Staff worked in conjunction with the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a Washington based wildlife rehabilitation organization to rehabilitate captured wildlife.

Ventura Oiled Bird Incident—California, United States (2004)
Focus Wildlife staff was hired by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) to manage the stabilization and search and collection aspects of an oiled wildlife response in Ventura, CA. An oil spill from an unknown source had oiled over 1,000 western grebes.


Globally Significant Expertise

Focus Wildlife staff and response team members have been actively involved in oiled wildlife response efforts, world wide, for 30 years.  Below are some of the globally significant wildlife impact incidents our personnel have been involved in.


Species Expertise

Focus Wildlife staff and response team members have worked with hundreds of species of wildlife including critically endangered, threatened and at-risk species.