DangertoAnimals
Oceanplasticfillsouroceans.Itkillsmanyanimalseachyear.Nearly700specieshavebeenaffectedby it.
Seaturtlesgulpdownplasticbags.Theythinktheplasticisajellyfish.Microplastics,ortinyplasticpieces,harmanimals,too.Birdscandieaftereatingthis plastic.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/danger_to_animals_and_looking_for_the_source/271967/turtle.480_0_1.jpg)
Aseaturtlegetsreadytobiteaplastic cup.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/danger_to_animals_and_looking_for_the_source/271966/hyenas.960_0_1.jpg)
HyenasfindplasticinalandfillinEthiopia,acountryin Africa.
LookingfortheSource
Wemakealotofplastic.Butwedon’thaveagoodplanforplastictrash.TedSieglerhasananswer.He’sstudiedthistopicformorethan25 years.
Sieglersaysweneedtodesignmorerecyclableplastics.Wealsoneedtobuildbettersystemstogetridof trash.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/danger_to_animals_and_looking_for_the_source/271965/cotton_swab.480_0_1.jpg)
Acrabholdsacottonswabitfoundona beach.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/danger_to_animals_and_looking_for_the_source/271968/visual_bottom.960_0_1.jpg)