Terrestrial Plastic Pollution and its Threat to Livestock and Livelihoods on Lamu Island, Kenya

The effects of plastic pollution on marine environments and wildlife are widely acknowledged. Yet the effects on terrestrial ecosystems and livestock are understudied and equally concerning. In many countries livestock graze open waste sites, consuming macroplastics that affect health and can result in death - in turn affecting owner prosperity. Even if livestock appear unharmed, meat and milk often contain microplastics that may affect human health. Using a One Health approach, this project explores the effects of plastic pollution on donkeys and livestock in Kenya; working with local animal owners and in-country collaborators to raise awareness of the issues and find sustainable, practical solutions to the problem.