The plight of camels eating plastic waste

Abstract

Ecological impacts of plastic pollution are widespread, in all biomes and geographies. Here, we report the ingestion of anthropogenic waste, primarily plastic bags and rope by dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has led to a regional mortality rate of 1%. We define the ingested waste as a polybezoar, a collection of tightly packed indigestible materials which can include plastics, ropes, other litter and salt deposits trapped in the stomach or digestive tract forming a large stone-like mass. In the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) in Dubai, UAE, of the more than 30,000 camels evaluated from the region since 2008, there have been 300 camels observed post-mortem with polybezoars in their stomach, from both camels in the CRVL or recovered from desiccated skeletons found in the desert. Here, we analyze a subset of five polybezoars ranging from 6.2 to 63.6 kg. Polybeozars lead to gastrointestinal blockages, sepsis from increased gut bacteria, dehydration and malnutrition. Due to high winds and the open desert environment, plastic bags and other film packaging escape open waste bins and landfills, traveling long distances; therefore we suggest improved waste management and alternative systems to package and deliver goods throughout the region.