Did you know that elastic hair-ties can be harmful to our hills wildlife?

Animals such as rakali, turtles, platypuses, and birds can become entangled in or ingest these small items, leading to serious injuries, infection, starvation, and often a slow, painful death. Once a hair-tie becomes caught around an animal's neck or body, it can tighten over time, cutting into the skin and underlying tissue.

Alarmingly, the Australian Platypus Conservancy reports that 30% of all litter-related platypus deaths since 2010 have been caused by entanglement in elastic hair-ties.

This issue has been brought to light by both the Australian Wildlife Society and the Australian Platypus Conservancy, with the former launching a “Snip Rings for Wildlife” campaign. The campaign encourages people to cut through any ring-shaped items before throwing them away.

What Can You Do?

• Never wear elastic hair-ties while swimming in natural waterways

• Spread the word about the dangers elastic hair-ties pose to wildlife

• Pick up, snip and dispose of any hair-ties or ring-shaped litter you find