Rotting corpse provokes gut reactions

A grotesque image of a rotting albatross carcass has gone up on bus shelters across the city. Kate Jarvis looks at whether the shock tactic is really necessary - and effective.
The photograph depicts a bird so full up on rubbish that it has starved to death.
Here is the latest shock tactic attempt by marine wildlife charity, Sustainable Coastlines, on Adshel bus shelters to expose the harm of littering.
Co-founder of the charity, Sam Judd, who has just returned from cleaning up rubbish up in the Waitemata Harbour, says: "The reason we're using that image is to focus on raising awareness. We felt that the shock tactics were necessary to get the point across.
"It's very different from every other ad you see on bus shelters. I have been looking at a lot of Adshels around town and haven't seen anything like this."
Yet shopper, Andy Chesfrank, feels even this disturbing image is not enough. "In today's world of advertising, one picture of a dead bird isn't any different to all the other pictures you see everyday. It's just one little part of a huge puzzle. I think people will doubt it's real."
Concpetions of real or otherwise don't worry eco warrior Sam Judd. "Whether people think it's real or not doesn't really matter, we just want them thinking about it. That's the main crux of the issue. People just aren't thinking about these things".
The image is expected to bring in a few complaints, as sponsors billboard firm Adshel has warned.
However, another bystander we ask, Christian minister Talle Pulevaka says: "I reckon it's good. It's appropriate and reminds people to pick up their rubbish".
So it seems that whilst pedestrian attitudes take the opposite slant, perhaps the charity won't be dealing with the negativity expected.
In the meantime, Sustainable Coastlines continues to work on large-scale events such as the big beach clean up at Rangitoto Island on December 6 to raise awareness in the community about marine debris, and the simple solutions to prevent it.
For those who'd rather not join Mr Judd picking up rubbish on the beaches, The Sustainable Coastlines Charity Ball will be an event to scrub up for on September 18.
More info, see www.sustainablecoastlines.org