Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Apr 14: The death of a three to four-year-old crocodile, whose carcass was discovered floating in the Kumaradhara river at Pulikukku, is suspected to be due to plastic consumption.
During the post-mortem examination, nearly one kilogram of plastic was found in the crocodile's stomach, marking the first recorded case of a crocodile dying due to the ingestion of plastic waste.
The crocodile's carcass was found on Saturday under the bridge at Pulikukku on the Kadaba-Panja connecting road.
The post-mortem was conducted by veterinary doctor Dr Ajit at the Yenekallu nursery area of the forest department. In addition to plastic waste, poultry waste and used kids' napkin pads were also found tied in plastic. It is believed that the crocodile died because it could not digest the plastic waste. The female crocodile is estimated to be three to four years old.
The final rites of the crocodile were conducted after the post-mortem procedure was completed. ACF Praveen Kumar Shetty, forest officers Girish and Subramanya, Dr Ajit, and others were present.