GOWRS FAQ
The Global Oiled Wildlife Response System, or GOWRS for short, is a Network of affiliated wildlife emergency response organizations, who represent a unified voice for preparedness and response activities as delineated in a signed Collaboration Agreement and associated Governance Charter.
The Network’s members provide professional Tier 3 oiled wildlife services to any interested client, industry and government alike, through the utilisation of experienced and trained wildlife response personnel working to agreed international standards.
There are currently ten members of the GOWRS Network. All these organisations are Tier 2 responders in their own country and region and may provide Tier 3 operational response, and other services, upon request. Our members have over 200 years of experience between them, working to prevent wildlife being impacted by oil and other potentially harmful contaminants and helping to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife when they have been impacted. Their logos are shown below - click on each logo to view their websites.
No. Our Assessment Team have their own ‘go bags’ which contain the equipment they will need to conduct an assessment, but if a full operational response is required, equipment will need to be sourced from organisations like OSRL, or from local stockpiles or suppliers.
We provide the following services: an Oiled Wildlife Assessment Service; Exercise services; Consultancy services; Training services GOWRS members can also provide a full operational response if required.
When responding to an oil spill, GOWRS members usually assist vertebrate animals such as birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Our members do not provide rescue and translocation services for fish and shellfish.
No. In the event of an incident, we can deploy a wildlife Assessment Team, who will assess the situation on the ground and provide the client with recommendations regarding an operational response. If the Assessment Team recommends a full operational response, then one of the GOWRS member organisations may be available to provide that response.
GOWRS is willing to assist in the writing of wildlife plans on a consultancy basis. If we do assist, we may name appropriate wildlife rescue organisations that could provide assistance in the event of an emergency. These organisations, who may or may not include GOWRS members, could be named in the plan, with their agreement.
GOWRS is willing to assist in the writing of wildlife plans on a consultancy basis, We are also willing to assist clients to improve their preparedness for possible incidents that may impact wildlife.
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