Bhubaneswar vets remove 50 kg plastic from bull’s stomach

A team of veterinarians in Bhubaneswar successfully removed nearly 50 kg of polythene bags and plastic waste from the stomach of a bull during a surgical procedure.

According to information shared by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Odisha, through a social media post, the 10-year-old bull had fallen seriously ill after ingesting polythene bags and other plastic materials. 

The animal had stopped eating and had been growing progressively weaker, while its stomach had become severely swollen.

Upon examination, veterinarians detected a large accumulation of plastic inside the bull’s stomach. Considering the critical condition of the animal, the veterinary team decided to conduct an immediate surgical operation.

ପଲିଥିନ ବ୍ୟାଗ୍ ଖାଇ ୧୦ ବର୍ଷର ଗୋଟିଏ ଷଣ୍ଢ ଗୁରୁତର ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ହୋଇପଡିଥିଲା । ସେ ଖାଇବା ଛାଡ଼ିଦେଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତାର ପେଟ ଫୁଲିବା ସହିତ ଦିନକୁ ଦିନ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହେଉଥିଲା। ଷଣ୍ଢର ପେଟ ଭିତରେ ପ୍ଲାଷ୍ଟିକ ଜମି ରହିଥିବା ପ୍ରାଣିଚିତ୍ସକମାନେ ପରୀକ୍ଷାରୁ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ପାଇ ଅସ୍ତ୍ରୋପଚାର କରିଥିଲେ। ଅପରେସନ ସମୟରେ ଷଣ୍ଢଟିର ପେଟରୁ ପ୍ରାୟ ୫୦ କିଲୋ… pic.twitter.com/fy0W9S2ojf

— Directorate of AH&VS Odisha (@dahvsodisha) March 8, 2026

During the surgery, doctors removed around 50 kg of polythene bags and other plastic waste from the bull’s stomach. Following the procedure and necessary treatment, the bull has been gradually recovering, officials said.

The Directorate of AH&VS shared the incident while highlighting the role of veterinary services in animal healthcare, service delivery and supporting the livelihoods of livestock farmers. 

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The case has also drawn attention to the dangers posed by improper disposal of plastic waste, which often ends up being consumed by cattle roaming in urban areas.