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Plastic waste in the sea — a huge problem

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Every minute, two lorry-loads of plastic end up in the sea.

The number shows the number of lorries loads of rubbish that have been dumped into the sea since the zoo opened at 9 am this morning.

Slide through the facts about sea pollution

Look through the peepholes

Sea turtle

A sea turtle looks for food amongst plastic waste in the sea.

Plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish, as they are difficult to distinguish from their prey.

Seabirds

Seabirds ingest plastic because waste in the sea soon starts smelling like krill and forage fish.

Sometimes, colourful pieces of plastic also look like prey.

Seal

A seal entangled in fishing nets on the surface.

So-called ‘ghost nets’ are deadly traps for seals and other marine life.