- Gastrointestinal blockage: Plastic can accumulate in the digestive tract of animals, causing obstructions that can lead to starvation, dehydration, and death.
- Internal injury: Sharp pieces of plastic can lacerate the digestive tract and other internal organs, leading to infection, sepsis, and death.
- Malabsorption of nutrients: Plastic can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss.
- Chemical toxicity: Some plastics contain toxic chemicals that can leach into the animal's body, causing a range of health problems such as cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental abnormalities.
- Death: In severe cases, plastic ingestion can lead to death.
Animals that are particularly at risk of plastic ingestion include:
- Marine animals: Marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, are often exposed to plastic pollution in the ocean. They may mistake plastic for food or accidentally ingest it while filter-feeding.
- Birds: Birds, such as seabirds and albatrosses, can ingest plastic when they mistake it for food, such as fish or squid.
- Land animals: Land animals, such as cows, horses, and deer, can ingest plastic that is found on the ground or in their food.
- Zoo and aquarium animals: Animals in zoos and aquariums can sometimes ingest plastic toys or other objects that are in their enclosures.
It is important to reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the environment to protect animals from the harmful effects of plastic ingestion.