Latest news with #CarrieStones
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials issue warning after animal is killed by person's thoughtless act: 'It's distressing to see'
Officials are urging the public to take littering more seriously after a duck was found fatally entangled in a fishing line in the River Cleddau. This tragic incident was shared by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and comes following a recent call to action by the organization about the same issue, according to the Western Telegraph. The duck was so badly injured by the line wrapped around its leg that circulation had been cut off, and the wounds were down to the bone. It also had damage to its wings from struggling to free itself. Ultimately, the duck had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering. In 2024, 34% of RSPCA's litter-related calls involved fishing tackle litter. That doesn't mean that's the only type of litter causing these incidents, though: This is just one example of the more than 2,000 reports the organization received last year. "It's distressing to see how our native wildlife is being affected by litter," said Carrie Stones, the group's anti-litter campaign manager, according to the Western Telegraph. This isn't just about a few ducks in one river. According to the RSPCA, these avoidable incidents happen thousands of times each year. Animals from bears in the forest to sea turtles in the ocean have fallen victim to litter-related injuries. With rising global temperatures already putting wildlife under stress, our habits around waste and plastic are becoming even more urgent to address. Beyond animals, littering has impacts on our greater ecosystem. Plastic pollution releases harmful gases into our atmosphere, and increasing numbers of harmed species can reduce our environment's necessary biodiversity. In Wales, the RSPCA is joining forces with Keep Wales Tidy for the Spring Clean Cymru campaign, encouraging residents to take part in community litter-pick events through April 6. The campaign aims to reduce harm to wildlife and pets alike, particularly ahead of breeding season when animals are most vulnerable. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Beyond joining clean-up events, everyday actions matter, too. The RSPCA urges people to hold onto their trash until they can dispose of it properly or recycle it. Even better, cutting back on single-use plastics can prevent this kind of harm from happening in the first place. And to see the positive side of the story: from snack wrapper recycling efforts to biodegradable water bottles, companies across the country are finding smarter ways to reduce waste and protect our planet. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
RSPCA: West Midlands has third biggest litter problem for wildlife
The West Midlands has the third largest number of incidents in the country of litter endangering wildlife, says the year, there were 87 reports to the charity of animals affected by litter in the region. The only areas with more reports were Greater London and Greater one instance a duck was left struggling to eat after a plastic six-pack beer can holder got caught around its neck and beak on the Walsall Canal. The animal charity is now urging people to sign up for a nationwide litter pick to help protect wildlife. In the reported wildlife incidents in the West Midlands, the RSPCA included Birmingham, the Black Country, Wolverhampton, Solihull, and there were 28 incidents reported in Staffordshire, 20 in Worcestershire, 17 in Warwickshire, eight in Herefordshire, and five in officers rescued the duck from the Walsall Canal and took it for treatment at the charity's Newbrook Animal Hospital in plastic ring around its neck had meant it had struggled to eat and swallow, and there were concerns that it would starve to death or snag the plastic ring on something and then drown. In another incident in the Black Country last year, the RSPCA was called to a pond in West Bromwich after a duckling had ingested a deflated balloon and was taken to Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre in Gloucestershire, where staff were able to remove the string and the wake of the incident, the charity urged the public: "Please always deflate balloons and cut them up before putting them safely into your bin to prevent wildlife casualties." Litter continues to be a blight on the region's wildlife. In an incident in February this year, which was reported to Cuan Wildlife Rescue in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, a hedgehog was found with an elastic band stuck around his middle, cutting into his common causes of injury to wildlife include discarded fishing hooks. Around 34% of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had become caught in fishing tackle a bid to protect the nation's wildlife, the RSPCA is now urging people to join Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean, which starts on Friday and runs until 6 RSPCA's anti-litter campaign manager, Carrie Stones, said spring was an ideal time for a litter pick, as it is before the breeding season, when young animals such as fox cubs are at risk of hurting themselves. Litter in hedges is also more visible to pickers before the vegetation starts Stones said: "It's distressing to see how our native wildlife is being affected by litter. Our rescuers deal with so many avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter."Sadly, for every animal we're able to help, there are probably many others that go unseen and unreported, and some of our fellow living creatures may even be losing their lives."But the public can help us protect animals and avoid these incidents happening in the first place." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
