Crab-plovers and several tern species put in peril by oil slick in Persian Gulf's Strait of Hormuz

Oil contamination threat to Crab-plover (photo: Peter Wachtershauser via Wikimedia Commons)                                                                                                

WETLAND birds have been put at risk by an apparent oil slick off Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

These include Crab-plover, Socotra Cormorant, Persian Shearwater and at least four species of Tern - Bridled, Lesser Crested, White-cheeked and Swift.

Kharg Island is where Iran's main oil terminal is located.

Given the other priorities  in this part of the Persian Gulf, it seems unlikely that the welfare of any stricken birds will be high on the agenda - or even on it at all.