The sample with interesting filling was found while studying the diets of seals. Dr Krista Hupman, a NIWA marine biologist, was working with a team of volunteers who were collecting scat and sending it to her for further analysis.
Jodie Warren, a volunteer at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, affirms that the examination of samples is not "glamorous work".
First of all, the sample of the scat must be defrosted. "Then we basically have to sift it. You put it under the cold tap, get all the gross stuff off, smoosh it around a bit and separate the bones, feathers, seaweed and other stuff," Jodie said in a press statement.
"It is very worrying that these amazing Antarctic animals have plastic like this inside them," said Warren.
READ MORE: Rare Hawaiian Monk Seal Gets Eel Stuck Up its Nose
However, the finding was in good condition and after some manipulations, the researchers managed to check its content. In a surprise twist, there were media files with sea lions.
The researchers, in their turn, said that if the USB owner wants the stick back, then he or she should pay a price in the form of a new peace of seal poo.
