Young wildlife warrior shares mask risk message

A TORQUAY teenager has used her time in lockdown to raise awareness about the risks disposable masks can pose to wildlife.

Sacred Heart College student Grace Mahoney designed an eye-catching poster to encourage Surf Coast locals to cut the straps of their mask before disposing of them.

The 13-year-old said it was a simple act that could be a lifesaving one for native birds and animals.

“I’ve seen a lot of masks lying around and I was concerned because I have seen photos of birds getting tangled and caught up in the elastic straps of disposable masks,” she explained.

“Obviously it’s a growing issue and I’ve always been passionate about wildlife so I wanted to do something to help our local environment.”

Grace came up with the idea for the poster through her Year 7 remote learning studies which encouraged students to get involved with a volunteer outreach program.

She has since distributed the posters to supermarkets, the pet shop, health food shop, hardware stores and cafes.

Grace said while people were doing the right thing by wearing protective equipment during the pandemic, it had created a potentially dangerous environmental hazard.

“As everything we throw away that’s not recyclable ends up in local landfill, it is important that the straps on the disposable masks are cut to minimise their impact on wildlife.”

Grace said she was happy her poster had helped raise awareness of an issue some people weren’t aware of.

“My mum has sent it to a couple of friends and they’ve been surprised because they hadn’t heard about it,” she said.

“It’s a small thing that makes such a big difference.”