New figures released by the RSPCA have revealed the number of animals on the Isle of Wight which suffered injury and distress through irresponsible littering last year.
The animal welfare charity took nearly 4,000 calls about animals affected by litter, with just 9 of those being on the Isle of Wight. Despite the Island’s comparatively low figure, residents are still being asked to ensure that rubbish such as wrappers, plastic and more recently, facemasks, are disposed of correctly.
Despite the country being in lockdown for many months last year, more than 10 calls a day were received on average relating to concerns about animals in difficulty. These included a duck tangled in a medical face mask, a baby hedgehog with plastic wrapped around her neck, and a fox with his head caught in an old Cornish pasty wrapper.
The animal welfare charity is urging people to help protect animals by picking up any litter they see lying around as well as ensuring they take their litter home with them or disposing of it properly and responsibly.
Head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department Adam Grogan said:
“Our staff deal with thousands of incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter – and they’re the ones that we know of. I’m sure for every animal we’re able to help there are many that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives.
“Litter is one of the biggest hazards our wildlife faces today and the pandemic has just added to the problem with many disposable masks just being discarded on the ground. These are a new danger to animals and we’ve been called out to rescue animals like ducks and gulls caught up in the masks’ elastic straps.”
As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line and hooks to plastic netting.
Nearly 40 percent (1,510) of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter, from a seal being strangled by old fishing net to dozens of swans who swallowed or were pierced by old fishing hooks or became entangled in fishing line.
Adam added:
“Animals who get their heads or necks stuck in litter can suffer severe injuries as they struggle to break free and can even suffocate, while others will slowly grow weaker and weaker as they try to hunt or find food or water.
“Others will get fishing line or netting cutting deep into their skin, affecting circulation and with wounds becoming seriously infected. These hazards can very quickly become a matter of life or death for these animals and action is urgently needed to tackle this problem head-on. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.”
Selfish inconsiderate folk!would Be more careful if a child was having same problem .!
There does seem to be a lot of the blue disposable face masks about.
Take them home or use a litter bin. Easy.
What litter bins? I do not condone dropping litter one bit but to say put in a bin when most have been taken away is a joke in itself.
I do agree people should take their rubbish home if you cannot find a bin but most are inconsiderate a-holes
Some IOW Residents just don’t seem to care about the environment they live in. More people should take care of their rubbish correctly, making sure it is recycled or thrown away correctly. I think children should be encouraged to not drop litter. This topic should be covered at school to ensure the younger generation understand the consequences that littering has on the environment and wildlife.
What is wrong with people? Why are they so lazy. There is absolutely no excuse for just chucking your litter where you like. Face masks being discarded is a disgusting habit too just bin them or take them home. I was brought up to know throwing litter is wrong shame parents aren’t still teaching this. Stop ruining our lovely island and endangering wildlife.