Persistent Plastic Threat to Giant Galapagos Tortoises

According to a recent report, despite a ban on disposable plastic items in the Galapagos archipelago, the endangered giant Galapagos tortoises are still consuming plastic and other human waste.

• Giant Galapagos tortoises of the species Chelonoidis porteri continue to ingest plastic in urban areas on the island of Santa Cruz, despite the prohibition of single-use plastic items being in place since 2015.
• The slow digestion process of giant tortoises, which can take up to 28 days, raises concerns about the potential health impacts of ingesting non-organic waste, including risks of intestinal obstruction, injuries, and hormonal changes due to chemical ....