A woman has hit out at litter louts near a scenic Scots loch after three small animals were found 'horrifically' killed by being trapped inside an empty booze can.
Charlotte Workman had been cycling near Loch Ard, Stirling on Tuesday when she noticed rubbish had been left abandoned.
The 30-year-old from Aberfoyle, who owns her own photography business, went to investigate by picking up a can of Kronenbourg and poured it out to find three small bodies tumble out.
It is unclear exactly what the small mammals were which are thought to have drowned inside the can.
Charlotte said the smell left her reeling and urged others to pick up their rubbish.
She told the Record: "I found the can amongst other rubbish on the south side of Loch Ard. I was cycling through the forest on the very misty Tuesday this week and it was just beautiful down by the water.
"So I walked down to the water's edge and took a picture.
"On turning round I saw a pile of litter left by fishermen...
"I picked up a beer can and as I poured out the water two little dead bodies came too with a third still stuck in the can.
"The smell was horrific, I had to initially walk away to avoid throwing up.
"The whole situation, was, and is just tragic.
"I've seen birds pick up plastic before but never have I seen first-hand wildlife so categorically and fatally affected by a piece of litter."
Scenic Scottish beauty spots have been hard hit by litter during the coronavirus pandemic with many high profile incidents hitting the headlines.
Even the Queen's Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire has hit out at louts leaving camping equipment and human waste behind.
Charlotte said the incident showed that even picking up one piece of litter could make a big difference.
She said: "I can't imagine the people who left the litter knew they were going to be actively killing wildlife. I think we need to foster a connection between people and our natural world from a young age. Then it will just be instinctive to not litter.
"My message to others - and a reminder to myself - would be: pick up litter when you see it. It may feel like a drop in an ocean but even just one piece could save lives."
She posted on Facebook: "For the effort of crushing a can to the size of a coaster and putting it in your pocket/bag, this wildlife wouldn't have died in a horrific way."
