The Daily Glob

"Animal Autopsies in Gulf Yield a Mystery"

Dead turtles, dolphins, birds, and other creatures are piling up in larger numbers than usual around the Gulf. But as federal scientists do necropsies, their forensics do not immediately convict the most obvious suspect: oil. Most of the animals show no signs of direct oil contamination. "Much of the evidence in the turtle cases points, in fact, to shrimping or other commercial fishing, but other suspects include oil fumes, oiled food, the dispersants used to break up the oil or even disease."

"Migratory Birds Flying Right Into Oily Morass"

"The piping plovers already are flying toward peril. The endangered birds are among the first of millions that will migrate this fall to the Gulf of Mexico — and the oil leak that could kill them.

"In the Panhandle, the 'Summer of Oil' Seems Endless"

"Every time Linda Young takes her dog out for a walk, morning or evening, she can smell it. Young, an environmental activist who lives near the beach in Navarre, next door to Pensacola Beach, said the odor of oil is now a constant part of her life." Craig Pittman reports for the St. Petersburg Times July 11, 2010.

"Teams Resume Burning Oil in Gulf of Mexico"

"The work had been suspended after concerns that sea turtles were being trapped in the flames. Wildlife observers are on the boats now. But confusion and delays continue to plague the program." Bob Drogin reports for the Los Angeles Times July 12, 2010.

"Judge: Deal Reached in ‘BP Killing Turtles’ Lawsuit"

"NEW ORLEANS -- A federal judge says a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit that accused BP of killing turtles as it burns oil from its blown-out Gulf well. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said Friday that lawyers would be in court later in the day to announce details." AP had the story July 2, 2010.

"Threatened Whale Sharks Seen in Gulf Oil Spill"

"NEW ORLEANS – Whale sharks, the huge fish that feed by vacuuming the sea surface, have been seen swimming between and through wide streamers of heavy oil a few miles from BP's spewing well in the Gulf of Mexico, a federal scientist said Thursday. The three sharks did not appear distressed and their white-spotted hides were not visibly oiled, said Steve Gittings of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who saw them on a flight Monday to locate oiled sea turtles for rescuers in boats." Janet McConnaughey reports for the Associated Press July 1, 2010.

"US Plans 'Extraordinary Measures' to Rescue Turtles Along Gulf Coast"

"About 50,000 sea turtle eggs from beaches in the Florida Panhandle and Alabama will be dug up and moved to Florida's Atlantic Coast in hopes of keeping the hatchlings alive in the face of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill." Noelle Straub reports for Greenwire June 28, 2010.

"BP Agrees to $20 Billion Spill Fund, Cuts Dividend"

"Under intense pressure from President Barack Obama, BP Plc agreed on Wednesday to set up a $20 billion fund for damage claims from its huge Gulf of Mexico oil spill and suspended dividend payments to its shareholders." Jeff Mason reports for Reuters June 16, 2010.

Spill Mapping and Infographics Roundup

As the Gulf oil spill continues to spread, where it is, where it's going, and what effects it might have are a growing concern to more parts of the US. Maps, data visualizations, and infographics are key tools for telling this story. Here's a roundup of useful resources. Many of these are hot-linked in the Daily Glob's right-hand sidebar.

AP Photos of Oiled Birds Cause Stir

Charlie Reidel of AP took some horrifying pictures of oiled birds. They are causing a lot of outrage in the Twittersphere. The Boston Globe published them June 3, 2010.