These harrowing images of donkeys desperately scavenging for food in temperatures as high as 40-degrees have been released to highlight the devastating impact of plastic pollution on working animals.
The pictures taken in Mali, India and Morocco show working animals searching for food among mountains of plastic and other waste.
In vulnerable communities across the world, working animals help their owners earn a small income by transporting water and goods – and even carrying waste and plastic itself to rubbish dumps.
But the global explosion in plastic pollution is posing a deadly threat for donkeys and other working animals.
The cost of living crisis, coupled with growing global inequality, is making it harder for owners to buy food for their animals.
As a result, hungry animals are grazing for food in rubbish dumps and fields full of litter. These animals can accidentally ingest plastic, putting them at severe risk from internal blockages and life-threatening conditions such as colic.
The heartbreaking footage comes after research from working animal charity SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) found 67 per cent of people in Britain didn’t realise working animals such as donkeys, horses and camels overseas could face health issues due to plastic pollution.
And 71 per cent were unaware that plastic pollution can have fatal consequences, affecting thousands of innocent animals.
Linda Edwards, Chief Executive of SPANA, which is raising awareness about the problem of plastic pollution on International Working Animal Day (15 June), said: “Working animals have a critical role supporting families in vulnerable communities, but our research shows there is very little awareness about the deadly impact plastic waste has on these animals.
“We are making a lifesaving difference to working animals under severe threat from plastic pollution, by providing vital veterinary treatment and supporting owners with information and guidance on the dangers of plastic waste to their animals.”
The poll of 2,000 adults also found 76 per cent would like society to move towards a zero plastic or waste future, to prevent the harm caused to working animals.
And just under eight in 10 (79 per cent) say they feel motivated to reduce how much plastic waste they personally generate, to help alleviate the plight of working animals.
Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows 353 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated globally in 2019, and only nine per cent of plastic waste is recycled.
Worldwide, the amount of plastic waste generated more than doubled from 2000 to 2019.
Mismanaged waste – plastic that is either littered, or not disposed of properly – is a huge problem.
While the UK is estimated to produce just under 0.5kg of mismanaged plastic waste per person, Zimbabwe generates 36kg, Tanzania creates 30kg, and Tunisia 25kg by comparison.
The pictures taken in Mali, India and Morocco show working animals searching for food among mountains of plastic and other waste.
In vulnerable communities across the world, working animals help their owners earn a small income by transporting water and goods – and even carrying waste and plastic itself to rubbish dumps.
But the global explosion in plastic pollution is posing a deadly threat for donkeys and other working animals.
The cost of living crisis, coupled with growing global inequality, is making it harder for owners to buy food for their animals.
As a result, hungry animals are grazing for food in rubbish dumps and fields full of litter. These animals can accidentally ingest plastic, putting them at severe risk from internal blockages and life-threatening conditions such as colic.
The heartbreaking footage comes after research from working animal charity SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) found 67 per cent of people in Britain didn’t realise working animals such as donkeys, horses and camels overseas could face health issues due to plastic pollution.
And 71 per cent were unaware that plastic pollution can have fatal consequences, affecting thousands of innocent animals.
Linda Edwards, Chief Executive of SPANA, which is raising awareness about the problem of plastic pollution on International Working Animal Day (15 June), said: “Working animals have a critical role supporting families in vulnerable communities, but our research shows there is very little awareness about the deadly impact plastic waste has on these animals.
“We are making a lifesaving difference to working animals under severe threat from plastic pollution, by providing vital veterinary treatment and supporting owners with information and guidance on the dangers of plastic waste to their animals.”
The poll of 2,000 adults also found 76 per cent would like society to move towards a zero plastic or waste future, to prevent the harm caused to working animals.
And just under eight in 10 (79 per cent) say they feel motivated to reduce how much plastic waste they personally generate, to help alleviate the plight of working animals.
Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows 353 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated globally in 2019, and only nine per cent of plastic waste is recycled.
Worldwide, the amount of plastic waste generated more than doubled from 2000 to 2019.
Mismanaged waste – plastic that is either littered, or not disposed of properly – is a huge problem.
While the UK is estimated to produce just under 0.5kg of mismanaged plastic waste per person, Zimbabwe generates 36kg, Tanzania creates 30kg, and Tunisia 25kg by comparison.
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