Avoid Balloons

Balloons Kill Wildlife

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Balloons are not harmless decorations—they are deadly to wildlife. Every balloon released eventually comes back down, often into habitats where animals pay the price.

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Sea turtles are especially at risk. Deflated balloons floating in the ocean look just like jellyfish, one of their primary food sources. When turtles ingest them, it is often fatal.

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Balloon strings are equally dangerous. Birds become entangled in them, suffering injuries, exhaustion, and slow deaths. I once helped rescue an osprey that had been hanging upside down for six hours, suspended from its nest by balloon string. Ospreys frequently weave human-made materials into their nests. As this young bird grew, the string tightened around its leg. When it tried to take its first flight, it became trapped—left dangling, unable to escape. That bird never got the chance to migrate or mature into the powerful raptor it was meant to be. It was humanely euthanized.

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What You Can Do

Choose better. There is no such thing as a “safe” balloon release.

Please do not release balloons outdoors. Choose wildlife-friendly alternatives instead. 

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Learn more at balloonsblow.org.