Tiger Sharks Dine on Migrating Birds

Oil platform lights distract birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, who fall exhausted into the sea to become food for tiger sharks.

The Gulf of Mexico is a migration corridor for birds throughout eastern North America. It’s also home to about 5,000 oil-drilling platforms. The powerful lights on the rigs confuse the birds, draining their energy reserves and thinning the flock. Ben Raines, an environmental reporter for the Mobile Alabama Press-Register, speaks with host Bruce Gellerman about the problem.