Trained birders: 'worst ever seen'

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) - Jeff and Pam Decuypere are the federally licensed owners of the Circle D Wildlife Refuge who have jumped in to help clean the wildlife affected by West Michigan's oil spill. But there is some confusion over how much they can help.

Their refuge is a licensed migratory bird rehab, and trained volunteers rounded up birds and brought them to the refuge for cleaning. The Decuyperes, who've owned this refuge since 2005, said this is the worst situation they've ever seen.

But even though people want to help, they said there is a great danger in just jumping in without knowing exactly what to do. It's possible you can do more harm than good to the bird and to yourself.

Leave it to the pros, they said.

"There is a specific process to follow when you handle any animal or waterfowl that has been contaminated by this crude," Jeff Decuypere told 24 Hour News 8. "It's not just a matter of simply getting out the Dawn dishwashing liquid and scrub it up."

And even though they're trained and licensed, they were approached by the US Fish and Wildlife service and told to turn all birds over to that agency. It took several hours to work the deal out, but Pam Decuypere said they plan to continue to wash birds before they turn them over.

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The Battle Creek Police Department organized a second group of volunteers who went through safety training and instructions, and wore long pants, shirts, boots and gloves.

There are some items volunteers could donate, including sheets, pillow cases, towels and drinking water.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow all angles of West Michigan's oil spill.