Green groups sue BP over oil spill’s effects on endangered species

The Gulf Restoration Network and the Save the Manatee Club filed the suit alongside Defenders of Wildlife.

It notes that residual oil remains in Gulf waters, beaches and shorelines that can harm wildlife in several ways.

For instance, the suit states that sea turtles have trouble distinguishing tar balls from food, and that eating them can cause starvation from gut blockage and several other gruesome problems.

The lawsuit says more can be done to temper the oil’s effects and restore Gulf ecosystems, ranging from oil recovery and removal to wildlife rehabilitation to establishment of new national marine sanctuaries and wildlife refuges.

The litigation comes six months after the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 workers and touched off the massive oil spill.