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Think about this. There are an estimated 7.7 million species of animals on Earth. But those are the ones that have been discovered. Some scientists estimate that there are millions more that have not been discovered and classified. And unfortunately, between 0.01% and 0.1% of those species will go extinct this year. That’s between 77,000 and 770,000 species each year! You have probably read a lot about global warming and climate change and other envi- ronmental ills in the world. Water pollution, air pollution, greenhouse gases. These are all real environmental concerns. And there is much out there describing how this affects our lives and future. Our lives as human beings. But what about the animals in the world? How are these climatic changes and environmental issues affecting them? Perhaps in ways we aren’t thinking enough about. Here’s one last activity for you to try. Do a quick Internet search about the impact of some of the larger oil spills have historically had on the wildlife in the area. You will be sure to find photographs of sea birds covered in sticky, black oil. Of particular danger from these spills are diving birds, like the laughing gull, brown pelican, and northern gannet. In fact, these species were most affected by the 2011 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. So, what happens to the birds when they are exposed to the oil? And what can be done about it? Try this activity to find out what happens to their feathers. Collect a bird feather from a chicken or a pet bird. Examine it with a magnifying glass or under a microscope. Notice how

Oil spills can cause great damage to birds caught in the goo.

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