Community | June 08, 2010 | 187 comments

BP Tries to Block Photos of Dead Wildlife

source: http://animals.change.org/blog/view/bp_tries_to_block_photos_of_dead_wildlife

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captainplanet71
For animal lovers, one of the most heartbreaking aspects of the Gulf spill is the oil-drenched wildlife washing up on shore. If you're too horrified to look at any photos, you're in luck — BP doesn't want you to see them.

As of Friday morning, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s tally of dead animals collected in the Gulf area was 527 birds, 235 sea turtles (six to nine times the average rate), and 30 mammals, including dolphins. Yesterday morning, the spill washed over Queen Bess Island (called “Bird Island” by locals), which is a habitat for Louisiana brown pelicans, the state bird that was once an endangered species. Forty-one of the birds were coated with oil, and that number is expected to rise.

Have you seen the terrible pictures of all this carnage? Neither have I. And neither has anyone else.

Wonder why? The New York Daily News reported on Wednesday that BP has ordered its contractors not to share pictures or otherwise publicize the scores of dead and injured wildlife.

An unnamed BP contractor gave a reporter a very different tour from the one presented to President Obama during his recent visit. Among the “highlights,” if that's what they can be called, was a decomposing dolphin that the worker said had been found filled with oil. The shoreline grass of Queen Bess Island was covered with stricken marine life, some dead and some struggling to breathe. The normally white heads of pelicans were dark with oil.

The worker said BP was insistent it didn't want any photos of the dead animals. "There is a lot of coverup for BP," the worker told the reporter. "They know the ocean will wipe away most of the evidence."

As extra assurance that most of us will never see photographic or any other evidence of the true extent of the carnage, Louisiana residents said BP quickly whisks off dead and injured wildlife to inaccessible buildings and offshore ships. Out of sight, out of mind ... but forever in locals' memories.

New York Daily News reporters trying to get a closer look at the disaster were escorted from a beach by police who said they were taking orders from BP. Even Louisiana residents have been required to sign non-disclosures.

Really, BP? Did you not get the memo this isn’t a police state? You may be able to control politicians by lining their pockets, but your bucks stop there. This disaster is going to affect all of us, and we have every right to see the extent of the damage.

In an encouraging development, this week Charlie Riedel of the Associated Press was somehow able to bypass BP's myriad roadblocks and snap some appalling photos. They may make us want to shield our eyes, but it's important we don't bury our heads just as BP would love for us to do.
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187 comments // BP Tries to Block Photos of Dead Wildlife

  • Bahai144
    • 0
      Bahai144  

    • "The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a dead man, and every living thing died that was in the sea." Rev.16:3

      They will continue to cover their failures with their lies and this will likely continue unabated until the final bowl of God's Wrath is poured out upon them.

      The final bowl of God's wrath is coming soon. Then justice will be done.

    • 1 year ago
  • EdJoyProductions
  • captainplanet71
  • QuestionGeek
    • +2
      QuestionGeek  

    • Who cares? We've already seen enough and know it's much worse than what we've seen. I 've seen the dead sharks, pelicans, birds, octupus, dolphins. I don't need to see anymore. What I'd like to see is people buying only organic and changing their habits so that we are not so dependent on oil.

      Americans don't want to do anything that affects their comfort level.

      For example, all this talk about how the plastic bottles pollute the earth. Well if people didn't litter and recycled every plastic bottle they use as well as other people's bottles, we wouldn't have that problem would we?. But that simple thing is too much to ask of Americans. They don't want to be bothered.

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • 0
      Yvonne_Bashelier  
    • QuestionGeek:

      My friend you are so right! When will we start carring? I'm so sick of lazy Americans, and I'm sick of the police who try to keep us from free speech on matters like this. Police work for Corporate America, not the people. Americans are so lazy they dont even realize they have no freedom of speech any more, the Patriot Act made sure of that. Protesters have been put on the terrorist watch list as those going against the American government, look it up, you will see this is true.

    • 1 year ago
  • BarbaraGraham
    • +2
      BarbaraGraham  

    • So the head of BP 'wants his life back'? How about the many innocent creatures who are dying every day, does anyone ever think of THEM? Does the head of BP ever think about those innocents? Does he indeed give a damn? British Petroleum should be shut down forever, they have no right to ever drill another oilwell, never, they are ruining this planet and all the president of BP can say is that he sure wants his life back? What a jerk!

    • 1 year ago
  • captainplanet71
    • +2
      captainplanet71  
    • Image
    • BarbaraGraham:

      http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1283/4681781699_faa67f2d90.jpg

      More "Rebrand BP" photos:
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenpeaceuk/sets/72157623796911855/?page=3

      Well, he ain't gonna get his life back. When you work for an oil company that cuts corners, you pay. And unfortunately the British people may also have to shoulder the burden as many Brit's pension funds are dependent on BP stock.

      BP's paying big time already. Here's a brief report:

      BP is not only gushing oil, but plenty of money, too. The company's stock price is dropping sharply after the Gulf rig explosion. Losses are in the billions.

      BP stock traded higher this morning after plunging to a 14-year low on Wednesday (June 9), but BP's shares have steadily dropped more than 50 percent since the oil spill... a $90 billion loss for shareholders.

      "There's just too much unknown with the company's ultimate liability here with the spill," said John Eade, president of Argus Research.

      BP has spent almost $1.5 billion on the spill and cleanup, but it could cost the company tens of billions. And that doesn't account for thousands of potential lawsuits.

      Wall Street investors are also worried because the US government is pressuring BP to stop paying stock dividends to investors.

      But BP insists it has enough money to pay for the oil spill. The company has been running a series of ads to reassure the public and its shareholders.

      British pension funds depend heavily on BP stock, and British politicians are standing behind the company.

      "I think that the best thing now is not to get into too much name-calling and buck passing and attempts to damage the reputation of a great British company," said London Mayor Boris Johnson.

      Next week, BP CEO Tony Heyward will defend his company when he testifies before Congress.

    • 1 year ago
  • stuburns
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • +1
      Yvonne_Bashelier  

    • We live in a cover up society. A society where most Americans are sleeping. Thats because our government throws us a bone now and then and we think thats good enough to keep us drinking beer and watching football! To many greedy people taking the hush money, and until that stops, it's only going to get worse and worse until finally Rome falls again.

    • 1 year ago
  • curtisreed
    • -1
      curtisreed  

    • let me see if i have this straight...BP tells its contractors, who are supposed to be working to clean up the spill, not to share photos of the damage and the dead animals...

      and THAT is why we are not seeing photos of the injured birds?

      because...there ARE NOT ANY free news agencies working in the country, it's all up to BP to produce those photos?

      i'm really confused on this, because haven't I been seeing photos and videos of oil-soaked pelicans and other animals on the news?

      so...there ARE photos and videos, which we've all seen, but because BP told its employees not to share photos and videos, we should now scream about a coverup...?!

      this article just sounds like more environmentalist noise trying to stir up anger rather than any sort of objective and rational reporting.

    • 1 year ago
  • captainplanet71
    • +1
      captainplanet71  
    • curtisreed:

      I can see what you're saying, but I do think this was a worthwhile story because it amplified the first-hand experience of a worker who's involved... and who states very plainly that it appears that BP is engaged in trying to cover up the spill's impact. We need to hear from workers like this one who are very close to the spill and who are seeing the damage first-hand.

      We know that BP turned away many volunteers, reporters, photographers, and concerned people in the initial few weeks and worked with the local gov't and police to prevent access. We have every reason to think they're trying to cover up damage.

      "The worker said BP was insistent it didn't want any photos of the dead animals. "There is a lot of coverup for BP," the worker told the reporter. "They know the ocean will wipe away most of the evidence."

      Yes, there are independent groups taking photos and documenting the spill, but it doesn't make their jobs any easier if BP tries to shut them out and that does amount to BP trying to cover this up.

    • 1 year ago
  • bc007
  • Kurta
  • omshaantih
  • Kurta
    • 0
      Kurta  

    • Really, what are they going to do to people who publish photos? Sue them? They have no legal standing whatsoever. Even if there are a million photos published, it still doesn't do justice to this tragedy. I think we should find every photo we can and forward them right to BP execs. They might want us to forget that this happened, but I think it's our duty to make sure THEY don't forget.

    • 1 year ago
  • Buster_Bluth
  • liveroadkill
    • +1
      liveroadkill  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      No genius if you have watched any of their announcements their trying to spread the blame around as much as possible.
      Ex1) The having people give them ideas thing trys its best to generate a feeling of "were all in this together." They then shun every idea that anyone sends in.
      2) The first week they tried to blame it on everything except them. (it wasn't our fault it broke it was the company that made it."
      3) They also tried to blame it on a security panel not having batteries.

      They are not going to clean this right it costs too much money. Their trying to hide the truth as much as possible. So look for the pictures and publish them as much as possible whenever you can. (That statement is for normal people not the troll)

    • 1 year ago
  • Kurta
  • versasrev
    • 0
      versasrev  

    • Well I guess it's time for the photo journalist to just go sneaking in mass quantities to these locations to take the images they need to. Fight fire with fire. As for the residents part I'm really not sure of the legality of that.

    • 1 year ago
  • zichi
    • zichi [removed]  
    • This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • 0
      Yvonne_Bashelier  
    • zichi:

      Yea and which oil company will be next? I'm sure they are not any better when it comes to disaster readiness. Just keep the billions of dollars rolling in and that is good enough right?

    • 1 year ago
  • Buster_Bluth
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
  • twohawks
    • 0
      twohawks  

    • Yeah. Beyond disgusting. And the Cmdr. In Chrg keeps giving us lip service about taking responsibility... in my book I cannot see anything he has done that means squat, except turn his back on the his duty and his honor. Well, not his paid duty to the corporations, I mean his sworn duty.

    • 1 year ago
  • Yogendra_Singh
  • twohawks
    • +1
      twohawks  
    • Image

    • Oil from Gulf spill stains beaches and tourists as slick spreads
      http://blog.al.com/live/2010/06/oil_from_gulf_spill_stains_bea.html

      PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. -- Driftwood and seashells glazed with rust-colored tar lined the surf along the Gulf Coast's once-pristine white sand beaches Saturday, the crude from a busted oil well deep underwater showing up in greater quantities and farther east.
      ::break::
      In Gulf Shores, Ala., wooden boardwalks leading to beachfront hotels were spotted with oil from beachgoers' feet, and some condominiums were providing solvents for guests smeared with the brown goo. At Pensacola Beach, the retreating high tide left an orange stain in its wake.

      ====
      who was it I saw in the news today saying there's nothing unusual happening at the beaches, just some tar balls, as is normal (think it was on John Stewart)

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • dreaddaze
    • 0
      dreaddaze  

    • when these folks from BP
      sit in their mansions and drive there benzs and rolls and drink $5000 dollar bottle wines, and get beaten by dominatrix on their lunch break. most of them eat
      steak, {assholes i am a vegetarian, i eat seafood u F%^ked up my vibes}.
      how dare them and for what purpose
      greed.

      Karma soon come.

      peace-in

    • 1 year ago
  • Confucius
  • Drach
    • 0
      Drach  

    • It's called "Damage Control" They don't want anyone to see it so they attempt to suppress all media.

      This reminds me of OCP, big time.

    • 1 year ago
  • jeffissleeping
    • +7
      jeffissleeping  

    • hmm, one more thing: some of the images on this post as well as others i have found have, indeed, disappeared from the google image search.

      not from the websites that contained them, but along with the BP ads during such searches, methinks a google/bp deal is afoot, or they're at least in cahoots..,

      (next post will be in modern english, promise!)

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
  • twohawks
  • EdJoyProductions
  • Andrew_Douglas
  • irie_ojo
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
    • -1
      irie_ojo  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      fuck plastic made from fossil fuels....
      one of the only reasons we are where we are is thanks to du pont. they came out with synthetic materials and demonized their competition. plastics can be made from less destructive resources. fossil fuels are obsolete.

    • 1 year ago
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
    • -2
      irie_ojo  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      i dont give a fuck about the birds..... just b/c you use the name doesnt mean you have to think like buster... stop being so retarded.
      this is about the destruction of the marine environment and our world as we know.

    • 1 year ago
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
    • 0
      irie_ojo  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      no but its the least contained and its spreading everyday. this spill is not going to lead to the destruction of the world (fossil fuels will) but it is a good start.

      i guess you dont live near the ocean...

    • 1 year ago
  • Buster_Bluth
  • Kurta
    • 0
      Kurta  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      Buster_Bluth, hmmm, you are eerily similar to "Godling". Is this your latest incarnation? If so you need to get off this whole bird vs. office building. This spill isn't about just birds, obviously. It's about an entire ecosystem falling apart, as well as many, many human industries. Stop being Dr. Generalization. Dismissing the spill because many birds (or whatever) die in other ways is like saying a hundred-car pile up is no tragedy because there are thousands off car crashes every day. You wouldn't happen to work for BP, would you?

    • 1 year ago
  • Kurta
  • Buster_Bluth
  • Kurta
  • Buster_Bluth
  • Kurta
    • +1
      Kurta  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      You're hopelessly off-base. It's not even worth responding to you. We are all doing our part, we just don't need to explain ourselves to you, so believe what you may. This community of the ecologically concerned is not at all what you would like to believe. If anyone appears self-righteous in this room, it would be you. If you're so disgusted with the posts on this site, why are you here? Just to complain about people and attack their character? Goodbye.

    • 1 year ago
  • irie_ojo
    • +1
      irie_ojo  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      what do you consider near? hundreds of miles away doesnt count. did you decide on the name "buster bluth" so when you post ignorant comments, people will be like " oh this guy must be a little slow, he names himself after a mentally challenged character from arrested development."

      how can you sit there and defend an oil spill that is destroying thousands of mile of eco system?

    • 1 year ago
  • Buster_Bluth
  • irie_ojo
    • 0
      irie_ojo  
    • Buster_Bluth:

      the article isnt that stupid...it brings light to the situation of censorship in our media and how much they (corporations) can control what info they want the public exposed to.

      oh yeah and i bet enough people on current watched the show to know who buster bluth is.

    • 1 year ago
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • +3
      Yvonne_Bashelier  
    • irie_ojo:

      You my friend couldnt be more right! Lets see now, big oil has caused how many wars? how many deaths? how many invasions into other countries while our government lies to us about wy we are really fighting? How many kids wont see their mom or dad again because of war? How many millions, yes millions, Iraqis are dead because of oil? They sure secured the oil in Iraq real fast when they invaded, but didnt give a shit about the rest of the country! Our economy is based on oil, not gold, and it is taking us down.

    • 1 year ago
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
  • irie_ojo
  • Kurta
  • greywrld
  • EdJoyProductions
  • irie_ojo
  • Andrew_Douglas
  • twohawks
  • EdJoyProductions
  • irie_ojo
  • irie_ojo
  • Andrew_Douglas
  • Andrew_Douglas
  • irie_ojo
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
  • twohawks
  • twohawks
  • EdJoyProductions
  • artemis6
  • Maeveeo
    • +1
      Maeveeo  

    • Guess its to late to ask ,but how can this be allowed when there is no OFF SWITCH , in other words it would be good to drill if you really know how to stop it , even if the rig goes down it won't do what it is doing now !!!!! And just think they never had a plan if something goes crazy like this !!!!!! Oh Boy !!!!

    • 1 year ago
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • 0
      Yvonne_Bashelier  
    • Maeveeo:

      There are plans, my husband wanted to submit one to them, this is no joke, it's easy, cost effective, and it will work. You know what they told him? Give it to us. Yes, just give it to us. If you care about your environment you will give it to us. And if you dont just give it to us, your a bad person because you want compensation for it.

    • 1 year ago
  • jeffissleeping
  • hunzedog
  • JanforGore
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
  • EthicalVegan
  • CalgarC
    • 0
      CalgarC  

    • you cant stop the internetz BP the RIAA learnt that the hard way and so shall you... i guarantee you tomorrow there will be 2 new flikr accounts on the spill and the dead animals!

    • 1 year ago
  • artemis6
  • jeffissleeping
  • Stoneyroad
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
  • jcamille
  • masterzip
    • 0
      masterzip  

    • this is a true test who has more power, an oil corporation or a country, my bet is on oil since they manage money better.

    • 1 year ago
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • +2
      Yvonne_Bashelier  

    • Americans still think they live in a democracy, but they dont, and this proves it! Americans live in a Corporate Dictatorship and its turning into a police state, just ask Louisiana residents that live where the oil is affecting it's beaches!!!!

    • 1 year ago
  • tylervictoria1
  • Yvonne_Bashelier
    • +2
      Yvonne_Bashelier  
    • tylervictoria1:

      I'm from America you bozo, I'm a 100% disabled Iraq war veteran and if anyone deserves the right to speak it's me! Your still naive but you will learn soon that you are a Corporate Dictatorship. Corporations dictate everything America does, Wal-Mart, Oil Companies, Clothing Industry.....everything. I live in Egypt now, at least I get good affordable medical care here, what do you get? I pay no more than $7 for any prescription, the average costs $2, and it's medicine coming from the American pharmacutical companies. Now why do I get to pay $2 here, and you get to pay $30 if you have insurance. Because your Corporations know they can suck you dry.

    • 1 year ago
  • artemis6
  • Gephoria
    • 0
      Gephoria  

    • i've seen plenty of pictures, I can see why BP wouldn't want to publish THEIR pictures on it but they aren't blocking them or if they are they aren't blocking them from me

    • 1 year ago
  • ibrake4rappers13
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