Roadside litter injures, traps or kills 10 animals every day

Roadside litter injures, traps or kills 10 animals every day, the RSPCA has revealed.

The charity has warned that over the last three years, they received more than 10,000 reports of animals becoming distressed or even killed by discarded rubbish.

It comes as separate research by National Highways reveals almost half of people are unaware that fruit peel and apple cores - which lure wildlife to their death - count as litter.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: 'Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife including hedgehogs, squirrels, deer and foxes.

'Animals can ingest the litter, become trapped in it or be attracted to old food on the roadside which puts them in danger of moving vehicles.

'Sadly, for every animal we're able to help there are probably many others that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives.

'But it's really easy for the public to help. When people are out on the roads, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly - or recycle where appropriate. As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal's life.'

Keep Britain Tidy research in 2018 found that up to three million animals per year died on the roadside, trapped in litter such as bottles and cans.

They included birds, small mammals and larger animals such as badgers and deer. The increase in vehicles on the road network since that study was carried out means the number of animals killed by litter could now be higher.