00:00Rubber ducts, airpods, and hats are among the unusual items found in Yellowstone's hydrothermal areas this year.
00:06As of early September, crews had removed more than 2100 pieces of trash from these areas.
00:12They also collected 5,600 rocks and sticks, making 2026 a record-setting year for debris removal.
00:19More than 280 hats were recovered, compared with 343 collected during all of 2025.
00:25Other discoveries included 5 AirPods, 20 hotel key cards, and 54 camera lens caps.
00:32Crews also found 6 Invisalign retainers, 15 fake nails, and more than $18 in coins.
00:39Officials warn that foreign objects can damage Yellowstone's fragile hydrothermal features.
00:44Some damage can take months or even years to reverse.
00:47Visitors are urged to secure loose belongings and properly dispose of trash.
00:52Protecting these geothermal areas helps preserve Yellowstone for future visitors.
00:57Disclosure, this video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
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