Guest guest Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 http://reports.discoverychannel.ca/servlet/an/discovery/1/20060801/060801_discov\ ery_lebanon_turtle_oil?s_name= & no_ads = Coastal animals latest casualty in war-torn Lebanon Updated Tue. Aug. 1 2006 2:53 PM ET Kimberly Fu , DiscoveryChannel.ca Wildlife can now be added to the rising number of casualties in war-torn Lebanon. In July, an Israeli attack on a power plant 40 kilometres south of Beirut set several oil tanks ablaze. This triggered what interest groups call the largest environmental crisis in Lebanese history. As a result of the blaze, 15,000 tonnes of oil spilled into the Eastern Mediterranean, killing scores of ocean and land-dwelling species. Some of the endangered species include bluefin tuna, already suffering from overfishing, and baby green sea turtles that seek refuge in deep waters after hatching on shore. The oil has since spread along the entire Lebanese coastline, as well as some parts of Syria. Environmental officials say if this persists, the oil could spread to Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece. So far, the Lebanese government is not providing equipment for cleanup efforts on the coastline, and a government-issued naval blockade is occupying ships needed for such help. The Lebanese Ministry of the Environment is asking the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the Kuwaiti government for assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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