Death from Above
An uneventful birthday party gives way to an exhilarating open-water balloon chase. Me and the MicroActivist crew risk it all in an effort to save our ocean's most endearing creatures from the evils of balloons!
Bothersome Balloon Facts
Balloons, both latex and mylar, can take years to degrade in the environment, and can still pose a serious risk to wildlife during that time.
It's not just marine life that is at risk from balloons… birds and terrestrial animals can also ingest or become entangled in balloons.
Balloons can be mistaken for food by animals, and can be particularly dangerous if they are filled with helium, which can cause the balloon to float and be more easily accessible to wildlife.
When released, balloons often travel incredibly long distances before finally coming back down. It’s not uncommon to find these balloons polluting some of the most remotely pristine locations on the planet.
Balloon fragments can break down into smaller pieces, making it even harder for animals to avoid them or for humans to clean them up.
Balloons caught in power lines cause considerable damage and heartache each year. From power disruptions to widespread fires, balloons and power lines make for a really bad combination.
Despite widespread awareness campaigns, many people are still not aware of the dangers of balloons to wildlife. Balloons are still released by the thousands as part of traditional celebrations, with most participants completely unaware of the harm these balloons cause.
No animal is safe from the danger balloons pose.
Yes, even domestic critters like Fluffy here are at just as great a risk from balloon entanglement and suffocation as their more wild creature cousins.