Whale Autopsy Determines Trash Clogged Its Intestine
By Jason Heller, October 15, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
The issue with plastics littering the ocean is nothing new, and it's always sad to hear about the real implications of this problem.
MSNBC reported today that "a beached whale has died in Malaysia after swallowing a plastic bag, a
rope and a bottle cap, a marine researcher said Wednesday." They continue to report that:
The 30-foot-long Bryde's whale got stranded in eastern Pahang state Monday and died a day later despite villagers' efforts to save it, said Mohamad Lazim Mohamad Saif, a researcher with the Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Center, who was at the scene.Mohamad Lazim said the preliminary findings of an autopsy showed the female had swallowed a black plastic bag, a rope and a bottle cap, which clogged its intestine.
Although all marine species are at risk, turtles are usually the rampant victims of plastic ingestion, asthey confuse plastic bags for their food of choice, jellyfish.
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