100 Pieces Of Plastic Found In The Stool Of A Rescued Sea Turtle

By Mayukh Saha / Truth Theory

A sea turtle was rescued in Boca Raton and taken to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center for its speedy recovery. After the crucial surgery, the sea turtle named Zatanna started pooping chunks of plastic. The plastic trash found by the scientists included spoons, forks, ziplock bags, and bottle caps. In an Instagram post that went viral, the scientists raised awareness about the rapid increase in plastic pollution and its harmful effect on marine life. 

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The surgery conducted on the sea turtle was rather simple as a hook was required to be removed. However, once that happened smoothly, the turtle began passing plastic trash in the stool, nearly a hundred pieces. Sadly, the ocean is filled with toxic waste dumped by human beings. It is most likely that the turtle was swimming in open water and the floating pieces of plastic entered its system. According to scientists, if we don’t reduce the heavy consumption of single-use plastic, we will destroy even more marine lives. 

They are trying to advocate a more eco-friendly lifestyle where alternatives for almost every kind of plastic product can be used. For example, one can invest in steel straws instead of plastic straws, carry one’s own cloth bag to the supermarket, refuse the extra plastic packaging in laundry hubs, and avoid using excess tea bags. Even the trending sheet masks and glitter packs can harm the ecosystem of the oceans. Before buying items of daily need, read the packaging carefully. Opt for natural products in shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Instead of hoarding plastic containers that pollute the environment, buy glass utensils that will not affect the environment. Avoid anything with microbeads as they are never bio-degradable. 

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https://www.facebook.com/GumboLimboNatureCenter/posts/2925282784195767

According to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, the sea turtle has been given special supplements for her gut mobility and she will soon recover. The center won’t let her go till she has passed all the plastic in her body. If we aren’t careful with our plastic consumption, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050, the scientists predict.

Featured image credit: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Inc.