 |
On January, 29
two sperm whales were found on a beach around the North
Sea near the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Recently details of the animal's necropsy
were released. Scientists were deeply disturbed by what they found in the
animal's stomachs.
The whales stomachs were full of plastic debris, including a 13-meter-long fishing net, a 70 cm piece of plastic from a car and other pieces of plastic litter.
Some suggest that the animals thought the items were food, such as squid, which is their main staple. Others, however, believe that the travesty is largely a result of humanity’s shocking disregard for marine life, which has resulted in an overabundance of plastic in the oceans.
“These findings show us the results of our plastic-oriented society. Animals inadvertently consume plastic and plastic waste, which causes them to suffer, and at worst, causes them to starve with full stomachs.”
said Robert Habeck, environment minister for the state of
Schleswig-Holstein
Nicola Hodgkins of Whale and Dolphin Conservation echoed that
statement, saying:
“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.”
|
