Meet the 'necklace seals'—marine mammals scarred by plastic debris that wraps around their bodies like morbid jewelry. This International Seal Day (March 22), experts warn of the devastating impact of ocean pollution on wildlife. 🚨
When Trash Becomes a Death Trap
"You’ll always see that permanent ring around their bodies in the wild—it’s heartbreaking," says Evangelos Achilleos, a frontline seal rescuer at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Fishing nets, discarded plastic rings, and other debris strangle seals, leaving lifelong scars or causing slow, painful deaths.
The Shocking Numbers
67% of aquatic mammals face entanglement risks, per a 2019 University of Pretoria study. Meanwhile, 8 million tons of plastic flood oceans yearly, including 25 million lost fishing traps and thousands of square kilometers of nets (Science journal). These "necklaces" are just the tip of the iceberg. 🌍♻️
Why This Matters
From melting glaciers to plastic-choked seabirds, Earth Alert’s global investigations highlight urgent environmental crises. Achilleos’ work underscores a call to action: reducing plastic waste and supporting conservation efforts could save countless lives.
