Plover Pair Nest Jeopardized by Balloon

Please read this story from Chicago Piping Plovers: A Balloon Scares the Piping Plovers Off The Nest

There are numerous examples of our trash killing and inflicting deep suffering on wildlife, from birds to fish to reptiles — none are safe.

Balloons in particular appear like food to many animals. The strings on them can strangle and demobilize animals whose limbs become entangled. This page on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website has some examples - some of which are hard to look at.

Monty and Rose have brought hope to conservation efforts. An endangered bird can successfully nest in one of the busiest cities on one of the busiest beaches in America. But an errant balloon has potentially killed the four eggs they have laid this spring. A vigilant volunteer rushed to remove it as soon as she could.

This is a heartbreaking moment for the Chicago community, especially for the volunteers who have worked so hard to keep these birds and the nest safe. We will have to wait and see now whether the eggs survive. If they don’t, this is another example of a completely avoidable tragedy brought on by the carelessness and obliviousness of human society.

Please encourage your friends and family to find alternatives to balloons for celebrations and memorials. Never release balloons. We need to start seeing them for what they are once they leave our hands: traps for wild animals. Pick up trash when you see it. It’s not just about beautification. Anything we can remove from the environment can be saving a life.