The affect plastic is having on animals has been laid bare by a new report from the RSPCA today. Incidents involving animals are now at an all-time high, in new data analysed from 2015 to 2018.
The report also found that seals in particular are suffering the most from being trapped in plastic.
The top-line findings from the report include:
- Plastic-specific occurrences rose from 473 to 579.
- Incidents involving seals becoming trapped increased by 22% between 2015 and 2018 across England and Wales.
- Water birds have also suffered from plastic litter, with incidents involving geese almost doubling over the period.
- Incidents have increased in England and Wales.
- Majority of plastic waste involved in the 579 incidents recored was from general litter
In an interview with the Evening Standard, Adam Grogan, RSPCA’s head of wildlife, said: “This shocking rise in plastic litter incidents suggests that plastic is a growing threat to animals. Every year, the RSPCA deals with increasing numbers of mammals, birds and reptiles that have become entangled or affected in some way by discarded plastic. Our latest data sadly reflects the wider litter crisis taking place right now across the globe and action is urgently needed. “