Aussies Warned Against ‘ Wildlife-Killing’ Halloween Decorations That Could Devastate Native Birds and Animals
- Experts say fake cobwebs and other single-use plastic decorations can entangle and harm native birds and animals
- Local councils urge residents to opt for eco-friendly decorations to avoid “the horror of dangerous decorations” during spooky season
- WIRES wildlife rescue service warns of the dangers of entanglement, saying it’s a common call to their 24/7 rescue office
Halloween enthusiasts are being urged to ditch certain decorations this month, as experts warn that what seems like harmless fun could actually have devastating consequences for Australia’s native wildlife.
As the spooky season overlaps with spring, experts say fake cobwebs and other single-use plastic decorations can create sticky traps for native birds, which are currently nesting. “Fake spider webs, while spooky, can be harmful to birds and other wildlife,” Willoughby City Council warned on social media. “They can get tangled or even eat the plastic, which hurts them.”
In a heartbreaking development, bird expert Dr Grainne Cleary said the synthetic cobwebs “are a big problem … because they are sticky”. “At this time of year, a lot of birds are nesting, and they’re just exploring their environment, and they can get caught. Think about your fairy wrens, think about your finches. These are very small birds and they can get tangled up in the cobwebs.”
Aside from the potential short-term affects on wildlife, single-use plastic decorations can also have long-term impacts on the environment. A UK study estimates that costumes alone equate to about 2000 tonnes of waste annually, and the Australian Retail Association says yearly Halloween spending can reach about $450 million in Australia, with about 32 per cent of that spent on home decorations likely to end up in landfill.
WIRES wildlife rescue service echoed the warning, saying entanglement is a huge issue. “Many Halloween decorations such as fake snow and spider webs are also potential risks for our native wildlife especially birds, possums, gliders, bats, and lizards,” a spokesperson said.
As the debate rages on, some local government members have slammed councils for fostering a “nanny state” with their eco-friendly warnings. But experts say it’s crucial to raise awareness about the potential harm caused by Halloween decorations. “It’s not one day of the year. These cobwebs are put up for weeks,” Dr Cleary said. “We need to protect our native wildlife, and it starts with making small changes to our Halloween celebrations.”
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