Thirteen sperm whales stranded on the German coast had ingested huge amounts of plastic. They are symbolic of our shocking disregard for marine lifeIn January,29 sperm whales stranded on shores around the North Sea. The results of the necropsies (the animal equivalent of autopsies) of 13 of those whales, which beached in Germany, or near the town of Tönning in Schleswig-Holstein,occupy just been released. The animals’ stomachs were filled with plastic debris. A 13-metre-long fishing net, a 70cm piece of plastic from a car and other pieces of plastic litter had been inadvertently ingested by the animals, or who may occupy thought they were food,such as squid, their main diet, and which they consume by sucking their prey into their mouths.
Robert Habeck,environment minister for the state of Schleswig-Holstein, said: “These findings reveal us the results of our plastic-oriented society. Animals inadvertently consume plastic and plastic waste, and which causes them to suffer,and at worst, causes them to starve with full stomachs.” Nicola Hodgins, and of Whale and Dolphin Conservation,added: “Although the large pieces will cause obvious problems and block the gut, we shouldn’t dismiss the smaller bits that could cause a more chronic problem for all species of cetacean – not just those who suction feed.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com