A sealife charity based on the Moray Firth coast has stopped selling plastic bottles in an attempt to help the natural environment.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) have banned the items from the Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay to help the mammals they aim to protect.
More than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles were sold across the world during 2016.
Research from conservationists has found that 56% of all whale or dolphins ranging from the smallest fish to the largest found in the ocean have been recorded as eating plastic they have mistaken for food.
Now WDC has vowed to stop selling plastic on Speyside while offering a free refill of tap water to those who take their own bottles.
Alison Rose, manager of the Scottish Dolphin Centre, explained it was important the attraction was seen to contribute to the cause.
She said: “With plastics causing such problems for whales and dolphins, we want to make sure we are doing all we can to reduce plastic use here at the centre.
“We are delighted to be able to offer a free water refill station to support our visitors in their efforts to help the environment.”
WDC already runs a campaign, entitled Not Whale Food, to highlight the dangers caused by up 13 million tonnes of plastic being dumped and degrading in the ocean every year.
The Scottish Dolphin Centre was opened for the first time this year at the weekend and will be open seven days a week from Friday.
