Here is a sad tale: those colorful and cheerful Mylar balloons commonly released at celebrations and funerals are, ironically, also inadvertently creating dangerous and even lethal situations for birds.

Why?

Such balloons can become hazardous litter. More than 100 balloons were recently collected at the Edwin B. Forsythe Natural Wildlife in New Jersey on one beach. Balloons have also been found more than 100 miles out in the ocean.

Balloons are often ingested by fish, dolphins and sea and land birds. Wayne Laubscher, a local birding expert who frequently accompanies groups on ocean bird observation trips, notes that every ocean trip results in spotting, and removing, balloons.

So what are the dangers? Animals and birds can easily mistake balloons for food. When ingested, the plastic can block their digestive tracks and, thus, cause death from starvation.

Research has found that seabirds are 32 times more likely to ingest balloons than other forms of plastic.

Birds and mammals can also become entangled in the ribbons attached to the balloons and die because they can’t move or fly, which results in starvation.

Environmentally, these balloons, being forms of plastic, don’t decompose for decades and in this way also become long-term environmental hazards. And of course, these balloons are a form of litter, and we all know and respect that littering is illegal.

Pennsylvania is one of several states trying to address this issue. Last March, Pennsylvania senator Amanda Cappelletti (District 17) introduced a bill to ban intentional release of balloons (Senate Bill 879) and has obtained bi-partisan co-sponsors for this bill. As of this month, this bill hasn’t moved out of the Game and Fisheries Committee.

The bill does include several exclusions — for meteorologic balloons, for example — and would fine folks who release “lighter than air” balloons with the generated revenue going to the PA Game Commission. The US Fish and Wildlife Service also is doing research on this concerning issue.

The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center reports that it retrieves Mylar and other types of plastic balloons on every whale watch trip it takes, even far out in the ocean. This organization partners with the Clean Ocean Initiative to track and reduce the impacts of marine debris on local marine life.

For a fun family trip, consider a whale or dolphin watch or a peaceful evening cruise with this company and see how many balloons you can pick up.

Of course, balloons can be deadly for land birds and animals also. Nature photographers have documented osprey nests containing more plastic than plant matter.

A couple weeks ago, we learned that a balloon led to the closure of the El Paso airport.

Many of us feel frustrated because we can’t do more to support healthy habitats for birds. But stopping balloon releases is an act we can take.

Let’s do what we can.