Plastic Peril: Shearwater Chicks Suffer Brain Damage From Plastic Pollution

In a disturbing revelation, new research uncovers the alarming impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife. Plastic ingestion has led to severe brain damage in seabird chicks, similar to Alzheimer's disease.

The Hidden Threat:

Researchers analyzed young sable shearwaters, migratory birds that fly between Australia's Lord Howe Island and Japan. They discovered that plastic waste leads to unseen harm in these bird chicks, including stomach lining decay, cell rupture, and neurodegeneration.

A Little Birdie Told Us:

Many of these chicks, who are in burrows for 90 days before their first flight, were unknowingly fed plastic waste by their parents. Blood tests revealed that the plastic pollution had severely disturbed the chicks' stomach, liver, kidneys, and brain health.

The Long Journey:

Shearwaters are among the most affected bird species by plastic pollution. Even though these chicks can throw up some of the plastic before they travel, the sheer quantity suggests that not all can get rid of it. Sadly, though they appear fit and healthy, these young birds' physical condition before their migration makes it hard for them to survive the journey.

Unfair Shares:

A previous study discovered that fewer than 60 multinational corporations account for over half of the world's plastic pollution. With conscious change, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution and help protect our precious wildlife.

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