Dead animals found in oil spill: 3 pelicans, 1 dolphin

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A veterinarian says a dead dolphin and three dead pelicans have been found in the area of an oil spill on the California coast.

Michael Ziccardi said Friday it’s not clear if the dolphin died from exposure to the crude oil that spilled into the ocean from a leak in an underground pipe near Santa Barbara.

The director of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network says two sea lions, an elephant seal and six pelicans have been rescued.

Officials say the sheen of oil is thinner than a coat of paint and is becoming harder to skim from choppy, wind-driven waters.

A state parks official says Refugio and El Capitan state beaches and campgrounds will be closed until June 4. That’s a week longer than originally announced.

The spill now covers nearly 10 square miles.