Bhubaneswar: In a shocking case of plastic pollution affecting animals, veterinary surgeons at a government-run hospital in Ganjam district removed approximately 40 kilograms of plastic waste from the stomach of a stray cow.
According to Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) Anjan Kumar Das, the surgery was carried out on Monday and lasted nearly three hours. The five-year-old cow had ingested large quantities of polythene bags and other undigested waste while foraging in garbage dumps.
“The animal is in stable condition after the operation and will be kept under observation for a week,” said Das.
Veterinarian Satya Narayan Kar, who led the surgical team, explained that the cow had been suffering from severe abdominal pain and difficulty passing stool and urine.
“It had been kicking its belly due to pain. A clinical examination revealed a mass of plastic waste in the stomach, necessitating major surgery,” he said.
The cow was transported to the hospital from the Hilpatna area in an animal ambulance on Sunday, after two days of on-site treatment failed to improve its condition.
Kar further highlighted the dangers of plastic consumption among stray animals.
“Stray cattle often feed on food waste discarded in plastic bags. The ingestion of plastic leads to intestinal blockages, which can prove fatal if untreated,” he added.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the rampant use of plastic and improper waste disposal practices, which continue to pose serious threats to urban wildlife and livestock.
