The following report is from Study Finds:
Recent studies are calling the millions of coronavirus face masks people throw away a ticking plastic bomb. Unfortunately, a new report from the Netherlands finds that bomb has already gone off when it comes to wildlife. A team of biologists is revealing the damage disposable COVID safety gear is having on the world’s animal population.
The scientists from Leiden started their research after discovering a perch caught in a latex glove during the pandemic. For all intents and purposes, researchers call this the first Dutch victim of corona waste. Since then, they have been collecting data and evidence of the consequences of COVID waste pollution on animals worldwide.
Biologists Auke-Florian Hiemstra from Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Liselotte Rambonnet from Leiden University are still examining how often and where animals are interacting the most with COVID products humans are discarding. Their samples and observations span the globe, from Brazil to Malaysia, coming from social media, websites, and local newspaper reports.
Covid Waste Can Injure All Types Of Animals
Researchers note incidents of foxes in the United Kingdom and birds in Canada all becoming entangled in discarded face masks. Hedgehogs, seagulls, crabs, and even bats are all encountering the disposable plastics in the environment.
In some cases, study authors say animals are eating this debris. There are reports of apes chewing on face masks and a penguin with one in its stomach. Researchers warn that pets are also at risk of accidentally swallowing a face mask, especially dogs.
Animals become weakened due to becoming entangled or starve due to the plastic in their stomach.
Rambonnet emphasizes in a media release.
Vertebrates and invertebrates on land, in freshwater, and in seawater become entangled or trapped in corona waste.
Auke-Florian Hiemstra
Making Homes Out Of Coronavirus Trash?
The study even finds some animals have started using COVID pollution to build nests over the last year. For example, the team discovered a coot’s nest in the Netherlands constructed using face masks and gloves, possibly discarded improperly.
The packaging from paper handkerchiefs is found in nests too. As such, we even see the symptoms of COVID-19 in animal structures.
Auke-Florian Hiemstra
The scientists also thanked all the photographers, litter collectors, birdwatchers, wildlife rescue centers, and veterinarians who contributed to their project.
As a result of this, we can learn more about the impact of this category of disposable products on wildlife. We therefore ask people to keep sharing their observations so that we can maintain an up-to-date overview.
Liselotte Rambonnet
The team is asking the public to send their ongoing observations to www.covidlitter.com as they continue to raise awareness of corona waste. They are also calling on people to consider switching to reusable face masks and safety gear.
The study appears in the journal Animal Biology.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Revelation 11:18
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10
WinePress readers know that we are politically unbiased and we continually advocate for critical thought when analyzing these issues, but this is the typical hypocrisy from many of those on the left. It is no surprise that leftists are much bigger proponents of masking, vaccines, and lockdowns, etc., but it is very hypocritical to learn that the things that they are advocating for are greatly harming the environment – which is what many of them claim to really support protection for.
Not only are masks harmful and useless, they harm the environment too. What a pity. But, of course, we’re in a “health crisis” so that means we can pollute even more! Makes perfect sense, right?
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