Tiny seabird chicks on Lord Howe Island in Australia are showing signs of organ failure and neurodegenerative diseases after consuming plastic, raising concerns about the broader impact of plastic pollution on wildlife.
Emily JB Smith reports for ABC.
In short:
- Researchers studied sable shearwater chicks and found plastic in their stomachs, some containing hundreds of pieces.
- Birds with high plastic consumption showed signs of liver and kidney disease, along with proteins in their blood linked to neurological disorders.
- Scientists warn traditional measures of plastic’s impact, like body weight, fail to capture the full extent of harm.
Key quote:
"Quite often, the birds are so full that we can feel the crunching of the plastics underneath our fingers as we rub on their tummy."
— Alix de Jersey, lead researcher and PhD candidate
Why this matters:
The pervasive reach of plastic pollution is becoming harder to ignore. What was once considered a problem of littered coastlines and floating debris has now revealed itself as a deep, systemic issue — one that affects even the most pristine corners of the natural world and the youngest members of numerous species. Plastic production continues to rise, driven by demand for packaging, textiles, and consumer goods, ensuring that the cycle of pollution remains unbroken. The discovery that plastic pollution affects not just ecosystems but individual organs in wildlife raises a troubling question: If seabirds are suffering from this level of harm, what might it mean for other species — including us?
Related EHN coverage: Plastic hurting Canada’s loons, ducks and geese
