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  Cleaning up oil-covered birds
Birds who are covered in oil are rescued and brought to a place where they can be cleaned up and looked after
1/9 After the Spanish oil spill, we look at how the thousands of affected birds are cleaned up
First of all oil is wiped off their eyes and feathers, and they're given a check over by vets and helpers.
2/9 First of all oil is wiped off their eyes and feathers, and they're given a check over by vets and helpers
The birds are dehydrated so it's very important to give them a liquid including a mixture of charcoal and glucose
3/9 The birds are dehydrated so it's very important to give them a liquid including a mixture of charcoal and glucose
The charcoal is good for them because it helps to absorb the oil in their stomach. The glucose gives them energy
4/9 The charcoal is good for them because it helps to absorb the oil in their stomach - the glucose gives them energy
At this stage the birds are still shocked so they're left alone to get some strength back
5/9 At this stage the birds are still shocked so they're left alone to get some strength back
They're given some small fish to snack on - like sprats. Then they're given two or three washes with a detergent
6/9 They're given some small fish to snack on - like sprats. Then they're given two or three washes with a detergent
After that they're taken to a pool to test if they're still waterproof
7/9 After that they're taken to a pool to test if they're still 'waterproof'
When they're shown to be water resistant they're given another check up to check they're feeding well and are the right weight
8/9 When they're shown to be water resistant they're given another check up to check they're feeding well and are the right weight
Finally, when they're recovered they're released back into the wild. This process can take from a few days to a week
9/9 Finally, when they're recovered they're released back into the wild. This process can take from a few days to a week

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