Featured Image Credit: National Geographic
By Sarah Sharkey
Plastic. It is everywhere. Our plastic pollution has made its way into the ocean and is wreaking havoc everywhere it goes. If an animal lives in the ocean, then you can pretty much assume that plastic is negatively affecting its life.
One team of researchers had to use pliers to remove an ENTIRE straw from the nostril of a sea turtle. Another had to tranquilize multiple sea lions before attempting to remove plastic packaging from the necks of these innocent creatures. More researchers found millions of pieces of plastic on the beach of an extremely remote island, showing that no place is safe from the deathly reach of plastic.
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Royal Melbourne Zoo
Some of the most disturbing scenes of plastic impacting marine life can be hard to watch. However, it is important to see the consequences that our marine animals are facing as a result of the plastic pollution we are allowing to find its way to the sea.
The humans in these videos are desperately trying to remove plastic from the suffering animal, but the process can be bloody and scary. And the worst part is that after their release, it is likely that they will encounter more plastic soon. No sea creature is safe.
Videos found here.
Learn more from our source.