Due to an oil spill at Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, on January 18th, 2000, a large effort was made by PETROBRAS and the Museu Oceanográfico of Rio Grande (Oceanographic Museum / Centre for Rehabilitation of Marine Animals) to rescue and rehabilitate affected wildlife. With the technical support of the staff of the Oceanographic Museum two field bases were established and totally equipped for standard rehabilitation procedures. Around 200 people, including experts, volunteers, environmental agencies personnel, NGOs members and PETROBRAS employees, were involved with the rescue teams and first aid. International protocols were adapted with creativity to the situation to treat birds, most of them cormorants. 55% of the birds treated were released back in the wild by the Brazilian environmental authorities. Cetaceans were also monitored around the bay and 3 weeks after the spill, there were no signs that they have been affected. 75 dolphins that generally use the bay were often seen swimming in the area soon after the spill. Some lessons to PETROBRAS and Brazilian organizations are being discussed in this paper.

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