OCEAN RUBBISH IS KILLING ALBATROSSES, WHALES AND OTHER MARINE ANIMALS

 

Golf balls, lighters and action figures: Staggering rubbish found in albatross chicks' stomachs

 

Dutch biologist Jan Andries van Franeker photographed the unusual items found inside albatross chick carcasses

He travelled to the northernmost island of the Hawaii chain, to highlight the environmental problem of birds ingesting man made objects at sea

While trying to find a nutritious meal of fish eggs, squid or fish, the birds accidentally eat an array of indigestible objects

 

These are big birds and there is definitely space for items the size of toothbrushes,’ Dr van Franeker said.  ‘However, these large and sharp items can make it difficult to regurgitate indigestible materials from the stomach. 

 

While most chicks regurgitate the indigestible material before fledging - growing feathers to fly - Dr van Franeker explained: ‘if the plastic inside is too large, it will stay and slowly kill the chick.  ‘When I found these items I felt it was a disgrace to humanity that we should rapidly end,’ he added

 

Read more and see pictures of objects found inside the chicks.

 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2528826/From-golf-balls-lighters-action-figures-Hungry-albatross-chicks-swallowing-rubbish-killing-them.html

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RELATED


More information on the albatross and threats to his survival
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/albatross/

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Our plastic garbage is killing marine animals

Marine Pollution is a significant threat to all marine life. Eighty percent of marine pollution comes from land. Non-point sources include runoff from septic tanks, cars, construction, farms and more. Air pollution (including mercury as a byproduct of burning coal) also settles on soil and water.

 

Toxins accumulate in the food chain and build up to high levels in Cetaceans making them vulnerable to disease and unhealthy to consume.

Marine debris like old nets and plastic rubbish can entangle or be eaten by Cetaceans and other marine life causing lacerations, suffocation, starvation, infections and more. As this debris (especially plastic) degrades more toxins are released into the ocean.

http://www.internationalwhaleprotection.org/threats/

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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Also known as the floating plastic island or Garbage Island - is a horrific mess of plastic garbage collecting out in the pacific ocean and wreaking havoc on the environment. We’re all responsible, but there are things you can do to help.

http://www.ecolife.com/recycling/plastic/pacific-plastic-island-garbage-patch.html

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Ocean garbage killing whales

Studies have shown that litter concentrates in so-called convergence zones - formed by currents and wind - where whales feed on abundant prey.  Plastic debris in the seas can harm these animals by both ingestion and entanglement.

In 2002, a dead minke whale washed up on the Normandy coast of France had nearly a tonne of plastic in its stomach, including bags from two British supermarkets.

Potentially, the greater danger here is from toxins in plastic that breaks down over time into tiny, even microscopic, particles.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/death-by-plastic-is-ocean-garbage-killing-whales-2311982.html

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