US EditionSquirrel Caught ‘Vaping’ in London Park Sparks Warning From Wildlife Experts
Experts warn discarded disposable vapes emit sweet aromas that attract wildlife, risking poisoning and pollution from plastic and lithium batteries, with calls for stricter disposal regulations.
- A gray squirrel in Brixton, London, was filmed nibbling a discarded vape in viral footage shared with The Telegraph. The animal paws at the device as if attempting to take a puff.
- Sweet, fruity aromas likely lure curious animals to these devices, according to Craig Shuttleworth, a red squirrel expert at Bangor University. He noted these components are not part of their natural diet.
- The RSPCA described the video as a "stark reminder" of dangers litter poses to wildlife. Ingesting nicotine, plastic, or lithium batteries can cause poisoning and long-term health issues in animals.
- Welfare advocates urge the public to dispose of nicotine products safely. "We would urge people to hold on to their litter until there's an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly," the RSPCA spokesperson said.
- Some governments are starting to crack down on disposable e-cigarettes through bans or tighter regulations. Discarded devices contribute to microplastic pollution seeping into soil and waterways, impacting entire ecosystems.
13 Articles
13 Articles
A viral video shows the animal manipulating an electronic cigarette, confused by its smell, according to specialists.
Because of the e-cigarettes people throw away, animals have started smoking and eating plastic.
Imagine the scene: a small squirrel perched on a wooden fence, which holds a colored cylinder firmly between the front legs and chews its spout with a casual, almost sucking a breath of smoke. At first glance, one could easily think of the last, bizarre fake video generated by the Artificial Intelligence to accumulate visualizations on social media. Unfortunately, there is no trace of algorithms in these images: it is all dramatically real. The …
Squirrels spotted 'vaping' e-cigarettes as fruity aromas attract wildlife
In the heart of a London park, a gray squirrel was recorded grasping an unexpected object in its tiny paws, clutching it as if it were a forbidden treasure. What's happening? The strange and unsettling clip shows the squirrel perched on a fence, holding an e-cigarette and nibbling on the mouthpiece as if it were food, The Telegraph reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by New York Post (@nypost) Experts suggest this behavior is roo…
Squirrels Smoking E-cigarettes... Lured by Artificial Fruit Flavors, At Risk. Wild squirrels have been repeatedly captured on video mistaking discarded e-cigarettes for food, biting or chewing on them. Concerns are rising that artificial fruit flavors are luring wild animals and exposing them to danger. In a video released by the British daily Telegraph on the 23rd,
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