In a shocking case highlighting India's severe plastic pollution crisis, veterinary surgeons in Goa recently performed a life-saving operation on a 12-year-old cow, extracting a staggering 48 kilograms of plastic waste from its stomach. The procedure, which took place at an animal shelter in Valpoi, revealed the horrific consequences of irresponsible waste disposal on stray animals.
A Critical Rescue and Complex Surgery
The cow was brought to the shelter by a concerned farmer from a nearby village after it was found wandering and wailing in acute pain. Dr. Raghunath Dhuri, the veterinary surgeon who led the operation, stated the animal was in a critical condition. "The cow could neither sit nor stand properly and was unable to pass urine," Dhuri explained. The immediate surgery, which lasted two and a half hours, was necessary to save its life.
During the complex procedure, the team discovered a stomach densely packed with indigestible waste. Dr. Dhuri estimated that the cow had likely been consuming plastic for over two to three years. "Most of the plastic bag fragments were old, though some appeared fresh. As a stray, she ate whatever rubbish she found," he said. The sheer volume of material was sufficient to cause multiple organ damage if left untreated.
A Tragic Outcome and a Stomach Full of Junk
The situation was further complicated by the cow's pregnancy. The massive bulk of waste inside its stomach had displaced the uterus, injuring the unborn calf. Tragically, during the surgery, the cow delivered a calf prematurely, about six-and-a-half months early. The newborn did not survive and died just minutes after birth.
The contents removed from the animal's stomach read like a catalog of urban waste. Beyond plastic bags, Dr. Dhuri and his team retrieved:
- Pieces of PVC pipes
- A leather belt
- Fragments of rainwear and cloth
- A nylon rope
- Metal construction wire
"This has been the largest amount of plastic or any kind of waste that I have seen inside an animal," Dr. Dhuri remarked, underscoring the extreme nature of the case.
Recovery and a Plea for Public Responsibility
Following the arduous surgery, the cow's condition is now reported as stable. It is being administered fluids and is under close observation at the shelter. While this animal was given a second chance, its story serves as a grim warning.
Dr. Dhuri made a heartfelt appeal to the public to curb the reckless dumping of waste. He highlighted a common and deadly practice: "People often dump leftover food along with plastic wrappings. Stray cattle end up eating the food along with the plastic packaging." His urgent request is for people to separate food waste from plastic covers before disposal, a simple act that can prevent such suffering.
This incident in Valpoi is a stark microcosm of a nationwide problem, where stray animals become unintended victims of plastic pollution, consuming lethal waste while foraging for food in landfills and open dumps.
