Where Balloons Come From
The balloons that can injure or kill birds come from many sources, and may not even be DELIBERATELY RELEASED. A single balloon can inadvertently escape from an otherwise ANCHORED BUNCH such as balloons used for weddings, birthdays, or decorative sculptures including balloon towers or arches used in advertising promotions. Schools may use balloon releases for studying WIND CURRENTS, deliberately releasing balloons with notes in the hopes that the note may eventually be returned, with little regard for how it may affect wildlife along the way. Even a small child releasing a balloon for the joy of watching it RISE INTO THE SKY can accidentally endanger birds.
The greatest threat, however, is when great masses of balloons are released. Balloon releases are popular for CHARITY DRIVES, races, graduations, weddings, fairs, and other events. In just a few minutes, however, such a release adds hundreds or thousands of potential threats to the environment. Fortunately, some areas are beginning to IMPOSE LAWS against balloon releases, and individuals or companies who release balloons could be HELD LIABLE FOR littering, endangering wildlife, and other unlawful actions. Those laws are still SCARCE, however, and every day more birds are affected by IRRESPONSIBLE BALLOON RELEASES.
How Balloons Hurt Birds
Many different types of birds can be impacted by balloons, from SONGBIRDS to Raptors to SEABIRDS. Depending on the type of balloon, how many balloons are connected, and what STRINGS OR RIBBONS they may carry, the consequences birds face when they come into contact with balloons can be devastating. The different ways balloons may hurt birds include:
- Starvation: One of the most common ways BALLOONS HARM BIRDS is through INADVERTENT INGESTION. Seabirds such as GANNETS, SHEARWATERS, ALBATROSSES, AND PETRELS may mistake a DEFLATED balloon that has landed on the water for a jellyfish or squid. The LATEX or MYLAR of the balloon is indigestible, however, and will CLOG THE BIRD’S STOMACH. If enough of this material is consumed, the bird will no longer be able TO TAKE IN adequate nutrition to survive, and it will gradually starve. CHOKING is also a threat depending on the size of the balloon and how the bird eats it.
- TANGLING: If released balloons have ribbons or strings attached, they can become A TANGLE HAZARD for birds as the strings get caught in trees or bushes. Birds may become tangled if they fly into the string, or they may use the string as nesting material and it could tangle around growing HATCHLINGS. Tangle injuries can include MALFORMED NESTLING GROWTH, open wounds from CHAFING as the tangle tightens, or mobility restriction of the legs, wings, or BILL. All of these effects not only harm the bird directly but can also make it more vulnerable to predators and infections.
- Habitat Loss: The tropical rubber trees necessary to produce latex can be harvested without being cut down completely. As the demand for more rubber for balloons grows, however, the tropical vegetation will be DENUDED or changed, DEPRIVING BIRDS OF the diverse, rich habitat they require for survival. This can impact hundreds of bird species even if there isn’t a single balloon in sight, and the effects cannot be quickly reversed.
posted from Bloggeroid
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