On last week’s program, Don showed a photograph of a satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) that died an agonising death after a blue ring from a 2-litre milk bottle became caught around its neck and beak. These blue rings are very attractive to bowerbirds, because they decorate their display areas, or ‘avenue’ bowers with all kinds of blue objects.

We have had a huge response to that segment. Thank you to all the viewers who wrote and provided us with additional information. It seems that ducks, fish and many other creatures are also damaged by the plastic rings on screw-top bottles.

Katherine Sewell, a Joey Scout, sent a letter to say that the scouts are trained by their scoutmasters to cut the plastic rings. We think this is fantastic advice. Cut the rings once or maybe even twice before you put them in the garbage, so that you can save the lives of our precious wildlife.

Copyright CTC Productions 2003