That finding isn't surprising, given the leatherback's jellyfish-based diet, said Christopher Sasso, a research fisheries biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Miami. But the numbers are alarming. Plastic can block a turtle's gut, causing bloating, interfering with digestion, and leading to a slow, painful death. "I can't imagine it's very comfortable," he said. "Their guts weren't designed to digest plastic." There are vast fields of trash floating in the world's oceans, Sasso added. And leatherback turtles travel thousands of miles each year, giving them even more opportunities to come in contact with it. "This is an animal that has survived many extinction events," James said, "And now it's got all these anthropogenic hazards to face." That's where people come in. Simple choices -- like putting balloons and picnic supplies in the trash and using canvas instead of plastic grocery bags -- can help leatherbacks and other marine creatures survive long into the future. "Of all the problems the environment faces, this one is not impossible to address," James said. "We don't need to have everything packaged in plastic. There are alternatives." Related Links: Go to Discovery Earth for slide shows, quizzes, interviews and more. |
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