Most of these balloons are those falsely marketed by the balloon industry as “biodegradable latex.” All photos were taken by Balloons Blow on Hutchinson Island, Florida, USA – unless otherwise noted.
Great Blue Heron with Latex Balloons
Heron with balloons in his tree.
From:
Stanley Park Ecology
Dead bird & balloon
Bird killed by balloon.
From:
Moss Landing Marine Labs
Ram strangled on ribbons
Bighorn ram who strangled to death on the ribbons of a cluster of latex balloons that he’d eaten. Click here for the full story.
Outdoor California, 2010
Outdoor California, 2010
Threatened desert tortoise & balloon
Trash, such as this deflated balloon, poses a threat to desert tortoises. The balloon can be mistaken for food by desert tortoises and, once consumed, may remain in the stomachs and intestines giving them a false sense of fullness that may cause them to starve.
Endangered Species International
Endangered Species International
Loggerhead sea turtle crawls over balloon
Mama sea turtle crawls over this “Happy Mother’s Day” balloon to lay her nest on Mother’s Day night.
Photo: J. Ryan Delray Beach, FL
Photo: J. Ryan Delray Beach, FL
Black-footed Albatross with latex balloon
“A Black-footed Albatross encounters a floating balloon. Albatrosses and other Procellariids often ingest or become entangled in floating debris they encounter at sea.” - Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge
Photo: Rich Stallcup
Photo: Rich Stallcup
Elk with balloon
Alex Breitler, Environmental Blog
Photo: Kate Connolly, Tracy, California
Photo: Kate Connolly, Tracy, California
Tule Elk Reserve
California
12/30/16
Photo Credit: B. Bylin
Loggerhead sea turtle crawls over balloon
Mama sea turtle crawls over this “Happy Mother’s Day” balloon to lay her nest on Mother’s Day night.
Photo: J. Ryan Delray Beach, FL
Photo: J. Ryan Delray Beach, FL
Pink jelly (with nibbles)
Latex balloon.
Latex balloon with no ribbons or strings
So-called “biodegradable” latex balloons burst into perfect little jellyfish, the favorite food of many marine species.
Hutchinson Island, Florida
Hutchinson Island, Florida
Pseudo-jellyfish
Many animals that prey on jellyfish mistake burst balloons as their favorite meal. The balloons get caught in their intestinal tracts, causing starvation.
Blue “jelly” balloon
Latex balloon
A balloon? Or a tasty jellyfish?
Latex balloon
Shredded latex balloon
Balloon trash
More jellyfish?
Photo: J. van der Woerd, San Diego, CA
Latex balloons
Balloons trash on beach
Sea turtle nest
Latex balloon near sea turtle nest.
Nibbled latex balloon
Latex balloon
Balloon on sea turtle nest
Latex is not biodegradable
Latex balloons
A dozen latex balloons with ribbons on beach.
Sea Turtle Nest
Mylar balloon on sea turtle nest.
Latex Balloon
Latex balloon looking like a jellyfish, no strings attached.
Mylar balloon
Mylar balloon near sea turtle nest.
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