Whale Dies After Swallowing Trash Bag

Biologists and a veterinarian bring a stranded pygmy sperm whale onto the shore at Sullivan's Island late Monday. Photo by: Wayne McFee/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Earlier this week two pygmy sperm whales (a mother and a female calf) were found stranded in the surf off of Sullivan’s Island.  Attempts were made to push the animals back to sea; however, these efforts failed, and the two whales were eventually brought to shore.  A black plastic garbage bag was found inside the mother’s stomach.  The marine debris caused the animal to fall ill, thus preventing it from caring for and feeding it’s calf.  The two animals later died.  Click here to read the full story from the Post and Courier.

Marine debris, especially plastics, are an obvious threat to the health and quality of our waterways and the safety and well-being of marine animals.  This terrible incident is an exact example of the impact our litter has on the environment.

The solution is simple: DON’T LITTER and DON’T POLLUTE!

As mentioned in a previous blog post, we are teaming up with the Charleston Surfrider Foundation to launch an anti-plastics campaign (stay-tuned for more to come).  In the meantime, check out NOAA’s marine response program here.