New oil numbers may do more harm to fish, wildlife

HOUSTON — New numbers showing the amount of oil gushing from a well in the Gulf of Mexico may be double as much as previously thought means the crude is likely to travel farther away, threatening more wildlife that call the fragile waters their home, scientists said Friday. The new figures could mean about 40 million gallons to more than 100 million gallons of oil have already fouled the Gulf’s delicate ecosystem and are affecting the coast from Louisiana to Florida – and perhaps beyond.