Balloons causing problems for wildlife in Lincolnshire
- Published
The Marine Conservation Society said it wanted balloon releases stopped
Balloons released during fundraising events are causing problems for wildlife in Lincolnshire, an expert has said.
Balloons and other litter were collected during the Beachwatch Big Weekend at Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes Nature Reserve.
Manager Roger Briggs said burst balloons can cause problems for animals who mistake them for food.
The Marine Conservation Society said it wanted balloon releases stopped.
More than 1,300 items of litter were collected by volunteers as part of the clean-up near Mablethorpe.
Mr Briggs said: "Balloons are a nuisance. We had 36 items this year, and we were in single figures last year.
"They burst and go into the sea and the string gets wrapped around the legs and beaks of sea birds."
The Marine Conservation Society said rubber from burst balloons can block the digestive system of marine animals.
It added that vulnerable marine species needed to be protected from litter.