Dawn Saves Wildlife

Whenever wildlife comes into contact with oil pollution the animal is at serious risk. For birds in particular the oil will destroy the intricate layer of feathers that then exposes them to extremes in temperature. When they try to get the sludge off with their beaks, they risk poisoning themselves. Only a single drop of oil can be deadly for some birds. If the oil isn’t removed quickly, they will die.

Dawn dishwashing liquid has been an essential tool to wildlife conservation organizations for the last 30 years. For 30 years, wildlife rescuers have used Dawn dishwashing liquid to gently remove oil and help save wildlife affected by oil spills. Animal rescue organizations prefer Dawn because it removes the greasy oil and is gentle on delicate feathers and skin. You may remember seeing TV commercials with the bird covered in oil and being washed gently in what looks like a kitchen sink with Dawn.

The next time you’re at the grocery store to buy a bottle of Special Edition Dawn a donation of one dollar will be sent to wildlife conservation organizations. In order to get this donation to them you can simply go online to dawnsaveswildlife.com and activate your donation using the eleven digit bottle donation code printed at the base of the back of your bottle. The number that you use is not the bar code but the number that is imprinted into the bottle. You follow this up with your postal code and the name of the store you bought it in. Then one dollar will be donated to wildlife conservation organizations, transforming you into an Everyday Wildlife Champion.

Dawn is only one aspect of many successful wildlife rescues. The lives of birds and other animals affected by environmental issues are saved largely due to the heroic efforts of many dedicated volunteers. One of readers of this column, Dorritt Amos, sent me this tip along with this advice – The small print and the imprinted number at the base of the bottle are hard to see without good eyes and just the right lighting; however, if your purpose in buying this particular product is to help save wildlife you need to be aware of this information. I think this makes Dorritt an Everyday Wildlife Champion.

On another note: I have a Big Thank You for all of the Great Backyard Bird Count Bird Watchers!

According to a note I received, The 2010 GBBC has been one of the most exciting so far. As of (Feb. 24th), nearly 91,000 checklists have been submitted and they’re still coming in. So far, the Northern Cardinal is the most-reported bird across the U.S. and Canada, as it has been for the previous five years. In Canada alone, the Black-capped Chickadee tops the list. The American Crow is higher on the list of most-reported birds (number 3 right now) than it has been since the West Nile virus appeared in North America and took such a toll on this species.


Lisa Emery, B.A. is currently living in Amherst. Lisa invites comments to her column. You can contact Lisa at: emeryvine@gmail.com or view her blog at http://emeryvinegrapevine.blogspot.com