Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/dead-whale-stomach-full-of-plastic-greece/
Plastic pollution has claimed another life.
A 17-foot Cuvier’s beaked whale was found dead on Kremasti beach in Greece. The female whale washed ashore and was already dead when ARION, a nonprofit organization made up of veterinarians trained in marine mammal and wildlife rescues, arrived on the scene.
There weren’t any external wounds that would have caused her death, so an autopsy was performed which revealed the cause of death to be ingesting large amounts of plastic.
A large mass of plastic – weighing 33 pounds – was removed from the whale’s stomach.
“This has caused the marine mammal suffering from cachexia and a painful death,” stated ARION. Sadly, this whale is one of many marine animals who mistake plastic pollution for food and end up eating tons of it – ultimately killing them.
If marine animals don’t die from ingesting the plastic, they can become entangled in it and die as well. An estimated 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million sea birds die from plastic pollution every year.
Plastic pollution is a global problem and one we need to address immediately. ARION said, “The problem is deeply felt in the Mediterranean, which is considered one of the most polluted areas in the world of them. Related studies demonstrate that plastic waste is found very often both on the surface and on the sea floor.”
Goose-beaked whales, as they are also called, live in deep waters around the world proving plastic pollution is not only floating in our oceans but settling on the ocean floor. These majestic whales not only face plastic pollution but are also threatened by chemical and noise pollution, collisions with ships, and direct and indirect competition with fishing.
They are one of the most common beaked whales and are not currently listed as threatened. However, many more could face a similar fate.
ARION is always available to treat and care for injured, stranded, or dead marine animals in Greece. If someone comes across an animal on the beach, they are asked to contact the local port authority and the “ARION” Catastrophe Rescue and Care Research Center.
The professionals will take it from there. “Awaiting the arrival of the authorities, we take care of keeping the animal calm by removing the world and any disturbance or strong lighting that can cause him stress and in any case we follow the instructions given to us,” posted ARION.
We must come together and make immediate changes to protect whales, turtles, and other marine animals.
Several U.S. states have banned single-use plastic bags to try and reduce the amount of plastic waste. You can help by following their lead and saying “no” to single-use plastics and remove plastic from your daily routines by shopping for reusable products.
Together we change the world – for better or worse.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
