BP: wildlife happy to go.

In an official company press release (uh... seem to mislaid our copy, you'll just have to take our word on this), BP oil has published a photo proving the company's claim that it is not inhumanely affecting the wildlife in and around the Gulf coast region.

The photo, which shows a deceased duck bobbing on an oil slick was accompanied by BP's statement which made reference to the day to day struggle for survival that all wild creatures endure.

BP states that the photo clearly shows that this duck, relieved of the hardships of finding food and safe shelter, has accepted its fate gladly and calmly, rolling onto its back, legs stretched to the sky to quietly float over the gently rolling sea, quite obviously enjoying its final relaxing moments in the southeastern sunshine.

BP claims this scenario, which has been repeated thousands of times throughout the Gulf's ecosystem, seems a welcome respite for both fish and fowl.

Tony Hayward, BP's CEO added, "Really, how long does a duck live anyway, seriously, does anyone really know? What is it, days, a few weeks? And Pelicans, come on - those things could kill you with those beaks. God, if we had those in the UK, they'd be hunted for sport. You wanna walk your 4 year old down a beach with those things poised to attack? Get my point? Really, we're feeling that there's a threat there that we're happy to be eliminating."