Cause of death points to litter in the area


Deer Found Dead In Thai National Park With Stomach Filled With Rubbish Like Plastic Bags And Food Packets

Images adapted from: BBC Thai

Some people can’t resist leaving behind litter wherever they go, and this careless behaviour often leads to the tragedy of fellow living creatures whether in sea or on land – just like in this story.  

Earlier this week, a group of veterinarians and rangers went to investigate a dead deer in a national park in Nan, northern Thailand.  

Deer Found Dead In Thai National Park With Stomach Filled With Rubbish Like Plastic Bags And Food Packets

Image credit: BBC Thai

The deer was over 10 years old and weighed approximately 200kg. His body was in bony condition and was missing chunks of fur when he was discovered. 


7kg of garbage found in his stomach


During an autopsy, the vets were shocked by what they discovered. A whopping 7kg of garbage was found inside the animal’s stomach -this included instant coffee and noodles packets, plastic bags, rubber gloves, plastic rope, and even a pair of underwear. 

Deer Found Dead In Thai National Park With Stomach Filled With Rubbish Like Plastic Bags And Food Packets

Images adapted from: BBC Thai

From what they’ve found, the vets speculated that the cause of death was gastrointestinal tract blockage.  

 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first case of an animal being killed by careless rubbish. Back in August, a young dugong named Mariam made headlines when she got a blood infection and passed away after consuming plastic waste in the sea.   


Think twice before littering


It is undeniable that humans are responsible for sad incidents like this. And if we don’t change our behaviour, this case certainly won’t be the last.

We can start taking matters into our own hands by joining clean-up groups or even picking up a plastic bag on the street when we see one. This way, we’re ensuring a cleaner future, not for just humans, but every creature on earth. 


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