Balloons ingested by seabirds are more deadly to them than hard plastics, a study released last week concluded. DUCKS, GEESE IN COLORADO DYING FROM ‘NEW DUCK DISEASE,' PROMPTING WARNING FROM WILDLIFE OFFICIALSOf the 1,733 seabirds studied, scientists found that one in three of the birds had ingested marine debris prior to its death. Though hard plastic typically accounts for the majority of marine debris ingested by seabirds, it is “far less likely to kill than soft plastics such as balloons,” the researchers concluded, according to the statement. In fact, balloons are “32 times more likely to kill than ingesting hard plastics,” they found. “Among the birds we studied the leading cause of death was blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, followed by infections or other complications caused by gastrointestinal obstructions.

Source: Fox News March 06, 2019 21:25 UTC