Seabird chicks are suffering brain damage similar to Alzheimer’s disease due to the ingestion of plastic, according to a new study, highlighting the severe impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife. An analysis of young sable shearwaters, migratory birds traveling between Australia’s Lord Howe Island and Japan, reveals hidden damage from plastic, including stomach lining decay, cell rupture, and neurodegeneration, despite the chicks appearing healthy externally. Researchers from the University of Tasmania examined dozens of these chicks, many of which had been mistakenly fed plastic by their parents, leading to high levels of plastic in their stomachs. Blood tests showed significant health issues, affecting the stomach, liver, kidneys, and brain, akin to the effects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Shearwaters are among the bird species most affected by plastic pollution, with previous studies finding over 400 pieces of plastic in a single chick. The sheer quantity of plastic makes it challenging for chicks to clear it, nearly becoming a death sentence as they embark on their migrations. The study underscores the urgent need to address plastic pollution, especially given that fewer than 60 multinationals are responsible for more than half of the world’s plastic waste.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/12/plastic-pollution-leaves-seabirds-chicks-with-brain-damage-similar-to-alzheimers-study-aoe