"Up, Up, and AWAYYYYYYYY......."
Being as these balloons could contain chemical or biological agents, I would suspect that the Secret Service would be duty-bound to shoot them down before they got on the President's propery.
http://www.adoptabeach.org.uk/pages/page.php?cust_id=43
Balloons - Don't Let Go!
Balloons can kill
Don’t let your celebration be the cause of death to wildlife. Marine animals such as turtles, dolphins, whales and seabirds are known to have swallowed balloon pieces - on land, grazing cattle and wildlife can also be harmed.
Don’t let Go! Balloons can kill
MCS has evidence of many marine species that have died from eating or becoming entangled in balloons and their string. Balloons are used to celebrate happy events, such as birthdays, fêtes, and promotional or fundraising events, but releasing balloons into the atmosphere can lead to harm. MCS along with the RSPCA and the National Farmers Union produced an ‘Up, up and away’ fact sheet highlighting the harm balloons can cause. Now MCS is continuing with the ‘Don’t Let Go! Information pack.
Impacts on Animals
Many animals are affected by balloons - not just marine species. Dolphins, whales, sharks, birds and turtles have all known to have been killed by balloons and balloon strings. Many animals mistake floating debris and bright coloured litter, such as balloons, as food. Turtles are thought to mistake balloons for jellyfish, the balloons can then block the turtles stomach leading to death.
The Green turtle pictured left washed up dead in Blackpool . It was killed by a balloon blocking it's gut (see photo right)
What happens to released balloons?
Once released into the air, balloons float up into the atmosphere. Most will burst but some will float back down whole. Both whole balloons and balloon pieces can cause problems to animals. Latex (rubber) balloons can take up to 5 years to degrade, more than enough time needed to do damage to several turtles!
What can you do?
Please contact us if you hear of a planned balloon release, and we will send our Don't Let Go! factpack. You can contact the organisers with this information yourself, or MCS will be happy to do this.
Display the posters in local community centres, noticeboards and other public places.
You can write to your local council and ask them to ban balloon releases in your district. Some UK and international councils have already done so and more will if they feel it is important to the local community.
"Up, Up, and AWAYYYYYYYY......."
Isn't that something that giggly 6 year olds would think of?
Hey! lets litter! that will fix Bush's wagon!
Carolyn