Albatrosses are among the world's most imperiled vertebrates, with 73% of species threatened with extinction. Ingestion of plastic is a well-recognized threat among three North Pacific species, but lesser known in the southern hemisphere, where it is considered a minor threat. As plastic entering the ocean is increasing while albatross populations decline, the threat of ocean plastic to albatross populations may be underestimated. We present case studies of 107 beach-cast albatrosses of twelve species, received by wildlife hospitals in Australia and New Zealand, and estimate plastic ingestion and mortality rates for albatrosses in the southern hemisphere. Ingested plastic was present in 5.6% of individuals, and the cause of death in half of these cases. We estimate ingestion of plastic may cause 3.4–17.5% of nearshore mortalities and is worth consideration as a substantial threat to albatross populations. We provide clinical findings and “checklist” methodologies for identifying potential cases of foreign-body gastrointestinal obstruction. We suggest practical policy responses, empowering decision makers to reduce albatross mortality from anthropogenic sources.

中文翻译：

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塑料摄入是南半球信天翁的一个被低估的死因

信天翁是世界上最危险的脊椎动物之一，73% 的物种面临灭绝威胁。摄入塑料是北太平洋三种物种公认的威胁，但在南半球鲜为人知，在那里它被认为是次要威胁。随着进入海洋的塑料越来越多，而信天翁种群数量下降，海洋塑料对信天翁种群的威胁可能被低估了。我们介绍了由澳大利亚和新西兰的野生动物医院接收的 107 只海滩信天翁的案例研究，这些信天翁由 12 个物种组成，并估计了南半球信天翁的塑料摄入量和死亡率。5.6% 的人摄入了塑料，其中一半是死亡原因。我们估计摄入塑料可能导致 3.4-17。近岸死亡人数的 5%，值得考虑作为对信天翁种群的重大威胁。我们提供临床发现和“清单”方法，用于识别潜在的异物胃肠道梗阻病例。我们建议采取切实可行的政策应对措施，使决策者能够降低人为来源的信天翁死亡率。