GFWC Supports Relief Efforts for Marine Wildlife in Lima

February 9, 2022

On January 15, more than 10,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Pacific Ocean just north of Lima, Peru, at Repsol’s La Pampilla refinery, the largest oil refinery in the country. The spill occurred when an underwater volcano erupted as an oil tanker was being unloaded at the refinery. As of early February, it was reported that cleanup of the oil spill would not occur until late March. While most sea lions, penguins, otters, and other wildlife within these coastal habitats abandoned the area, many others that were trapped when the oil spill occurred died due to severe intoxication, and the long-term effects are yet to be known.

In Lima, the American Women’s Literacy Club is working to collect funds and other donations to support Organization for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Animals (ORCA)’s efforts to rescue mammals along the entire coast of Peru following this devastating oil spill. Donations have included various medical supplies and money to help with the purchase of gasoline and other necessities to allow ORCA to travel along the coastline to rescue and transport the wildlife in need of help.