A graphic video has emerged showing the detrimental effects of plastic being chucked in the ocean.
It shows a turtle writhing in agony as it has a plastic straw pulled out of its nose by researchers in Costa Rica. The research team pulled the turtle aboard to remove what they initially thought was a parasitic worm.
They began by pulling it out with pliers, but quickly discovered the object was actually a plastic straw that had become lodged. The turtle is seen bleeding and writhing in pain.
The researchers posted an account of their experience online, saying:
He obviously did not enjoy the procedure very much, but we hope that he is now able to breathe more freely.
We disinfected the air passageway with iodine and kept the turtle for observation before releasing him back into the wild.
The bleeding stopped pretty much immediately after the removal of the straw.
Scientists say eight million tonnes of plastic bottles, toys, bags and other crap ends up in the world’s oceans every year. Turtles mistake plastic for food and ingest it, where it can cause blockages within their digestive system and even kill them.
Warning, the video contains distressing imagery:
So think twice next time you reach for a plastic straw, you bastard.
