Migratory Bird Management Alaska Region     Alaskan seabirds
nest far from cities and factories, which has protected them
from many problems. However, the modern world still puts
pressure on birds in Alaska. The Fish and Wildlife Service works
to keep a balance between humans and seabirds. Some examples of
problems in Alaska are:    • Oil pollution can kill seabirds.
Oil coats the birds' feathers, which can no longer keep cold
water away from their skin. Most people know aboutOiled Murre.
USFWS the Exxon Valdez, which spilled 11 million gallons of oil
in Prince William Sound in 1989. Other small oil spills are
quite common, and they sometimes kill birds too.   • People can
disturb birds by walking or making noise near their nesting
colonies. Seabirds are frightened easily, and they can hurt
their young chicks if they fly away in a hurry.   • Introduced
enemies like foxes or rats can get onto seabird islands. Birds
have no defenses against new predators. Foxes and rats will kill
and eat the birds or their youn