As of January 29th, just on the shores around
the North Sea, sperm whales were found stranded in the shallow area that is not
meant for marine wildlife.
However, the details of the animals' necropsy
that was released shows a very gruesome truth as to how the whales dyed to
begin with. Scientists were very concerned and deeply disturbed as to what they
found inside the unfortunate whales.
The press release that was given from Wadden Sea National Park located in Schleswig-Holstein, shows that many of the
stranded whales stomachs were actually filled to the brim with plastic debris,
which includes a 70 cm piece of plastic known to be apart of a car, a
13-meter-long fishing net, and a variety of other plastic debris that was found
as well. Clearly, with this much debris in a whales stomach, there is no
possible way for them to digest and get the nutrition necessary in order to
survive. Having a full stomach and dying of starvation is one of the cruelest
ways any marine animal could perish.
Some people suggest that this is due to the whales
thinking that the plastic items were food, like squid since that is a whales go
to staple. People on the other hand, however, believe that this is what happens
when humanity continues to disregard marine life as well as the overabundance
of plastic that is now circulating all over our oceans.
Environment minister for the state of
Schleswig-Holstein, Robert Habeck states:
"These findings show us the results of
our plastic-oriented society. Animals inadvertently consume plastic and plastic
waste, which causes them to suffer, and at worst, causes them to starve with
full stomachs."
In addition to this statement, Nicola
Hodgkins who is affiliated with Whale and Dolphin Conservation states:
"Although the large pieces will cause
obvious problems and block the gut, we shouldn't dismiss the smaller bits that
could cause a more chronic problem for all species of cetacean – not just those
who suction feed."
It is very important thing to note that the
young whales did not die due to the plastic in their stomachs. In fact,
according to National Geographic, the whales had died due to heart failure.
This was a consequence of them mistakenly swimming into the North Sea, most
likely in search of squid, but then not being able to support the weight of
their own body's in such shallow water. As an unfortunate result, the whales
internal organs had collapsed.
Even that being the truth, humanity still
needs to address this situation as a major warning sign about how much
pollution we are pouring into our oceans. Do not dismiss their deaths as if it
were meant to be, because it certainly wasn't. These animals could have had
longer lives without mistakenly consuming the extreme amounts of debris we keep
giving our planet. End this horrible trend of pollution, help us turn the tides
and clean our planet!
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