Plastic is killing 40 % of young sea turtles, shocking new research has shown.
Baby turtles are almost four times more likely to be killed by ingesting plastic waste compared to adults.
Not only do these animals have weaker bodies, but they also feed in offshore waters closer to the surface, which are more likely to be contaminated with large plastic items that can accumulate in their digestive tracts.
Post mortems on almost 1,000 dead turtles found more than half of the babies – and about a quarter of juveniles – had swallowed plastic, compared to just one in seven adults.