Balloon Threat
We received this request for help from Lance Ferris of Sea Bird Rescue, concerning an impending release of 2,000 helium-filled balloons, which have a high probability of ending up in the sea, where they can be mistakenly consumed by sea turtles and other animals, which may lead to their deaths.
Hello all,
I am URGENTLY requesting your assistance.
On Wednesday this week, 2000 helium-filled balloons will be released at North Lakes State College in Queensland, Australia.
Despite complaints from some of the students and their parents, the balloon release still looks like going ahead.
The school is near the ocean on the East Coast of Australia, which is one of the most populated areas for seaturtles on the Australian coastline. Our jet-stream air-flow moves from west-to-east across the continent, which in turn, will take the balloons over the ocean, where they will create a serious threat to sea turtles along that part of the coast.
In New South Wales, we were successful in convincing the Parliament to ban the mass releases of helium-filled balloons, but other States still allow the practice.
There is ample evidence, world-wide, that balloons are a threat to marine turtles, and in fact, a necropsy conducted as recently as January, this year, found balloon pieces in the gut of a dead green turtle.
As I indicated, we have less than 48 hours to attempt to stop this release, and I am calling upon anyone who can assist us in stopping this event.
If you can assist, please address your concerns via email to both the following:
The Director-General of Education, Queensland, Australia
The Regional District Manager, Mr Lex Heilbronn
THIS MATTER IS EXTREMELY URGENT. THERE IS NOW LESS THAN 48 HOURS TO RELEASE OF THE BALLOONS.
We are currently making efforts to have these releases banned in that State, but until such time as that becomes legislation, our turtles are at risk.
Best regards
Lance Ferris
Australian Seabird Rescue Inc. (Turtle Rehabilitation Division)
WildlifeLink Sanctuary
264 North Creek Road, Ballina. NSW
Australia.
Phone: 02 6686 2852 Mobile: 0428 862 852
Email. Website.