06/25/2019
Erik picked up this strand of ELEVEN balloons out of the hayfield this afternoon. They were losing helium and would have been essentially invisible in another few hours, and then stood a good chance of getting mowed, raked and baled in the dense grass to be potentially eaten by a cow, horse or goat this winter. This is often fatal to the animal, causing intestinal blockage or choking. With the long strings wound right into the bale, an animal may not even realize what it’s consuming until it’s too late.
Please, on behalf of not only livestock but wildlife, skip the balloons when you’re decorating for your party this summer! Releasing balloons, whether accidental or intentional, is littering, plain and simple—and it can truly have deadly consequences.
For our readers who want receipts, here a few articles about the effect of balloons on both livestock and wildlife:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/agriculture/farming/8494881/Farmer-wins-compensation-after-Red-Nose-Day-balloon-kills-cow.html
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/balloon-hazards-real-or-overblown/article_c9a7e1b2-56bb-5e14-acc6-d64898653e83.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-46058916
https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/balloon-pollution-dangerous-for-farm-animals-and-wildlife/281-588896532
