Balloon danger: Don't let go

admin
, 30 January 2023
Balloon danger: Don't let go

The remains of this Jay were recently found in a West Sussex woodland. The unfortunate bird had become trapped in a balloon ribbon and would have likely have starved slowly to death. Released balloons, especially those with attached strings or ribbons, are a serious threat to wildlife and livestock.

Warning: video contains distressing content 

Film by Mick Jenner / Nature-on-film

Sussex Wildlife Trust believes that balloons should not be released due to the damage they cause to the environment and wildlife. 

When they enter marine and terrestrial ecosystems, balloons are a major threat to wildlife. They have been found in the digestive systems of seabirds, turtles, livestock and marine mammals and their string and ribbon can cause problems through entanglement.  

The release of balloons is an act of littering which causes avoidable damage to both the marine and terrestrial environments. 

Alternatives to balloon releases include planting flowers, blowing bubbles and using natural petals or rice as confetti. 

Jay © Derek Middleton
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Comments

  • Carole Gosling:

    I have always been furious at people indiscriminately releasing balloons into the atmosphere.I am glad that at last something is being done about it.

    02 Feb 2023 17:38:00

  • Angela Henslow:

    Lets hope this message gets out there! We farm and are forever picking up balloons of various types, and we only cover a TINY bit of West Sussex. We still find balloon competition balloons and always write back to explain the terrible consequences. The latest was from a school charity event!

    02 Feb 2023 19:32:00

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