Wildlife rescue volunteers are urging people to stop buying toy flying rings, as they have found young seals with these rings stuck around their necks, leading to some fatalities.
“They cut into the neck of the seals which leads to infection and, unfortunately, many do die,” said Gareth Richards, founder of Gower Seal Group.
The Gower Seal Group launched a campaign to discourage their use after many discarded rings were found on beaches in Swansea and the Gower Peninsula.
The RSPCA highlighted that this is a widespread issue, with treating an injured seal potentially costing up to £15,000.
Swansea Council is set to discuss supporting the campaign.
Mr Richards said the “flying rings are sold so cheaply, often for a £1 or £2, that they often get lost or discarded on beaches and, inevitably, they end up in the sea”.
“You then get seals, younger seals specifically, that see these as a toy and those few moments of curiosity will turn into a lifetime of misery when these things go over their heads and they get stuck on their neck and they can’t come off,” he added.
Mr Richards wants people to stop buying the plastic rings and to use the “solid traditional disk frisbee instead”.
The RSPCA said it is a serious issue around the coast.
Rehabilitating a seal requires a costly and “long, long period of wound management” with antibiotics and painkillers, according to senior wildlife officer Geoff Edmond.
“Eventually there’s hope that that wound will heal and the animal can be returned to the wild,” he said.
Gower Seal Group volunteer Elin Carter, an environmental science student, became involved after recognising the severe impact plastic waste has on marine life.
“Since starting volunteering I’ve seen lots of seals being washed up on beaches, either dead or with really bad injuries, stopping them from being able to swim and live life how they should be all because of plastic rings,” she said.
Council leader Rob Stewart confirmed that action will be discussed in the upcoming council session.
“The aim will be to raise awareness of the danger and to encourage local residents and visitors to our beaches to stop using flying ring frisbees – and to use solid disc frisbees instead – and, of course, to always take them home so they don’t end up in our oceans,” he said.
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