Plastic Trails: How Human Carelessness Is Killing Animals

What seems like a careless human can become a death sentence for wildlife.

Dear Reader, in my last article, I had briefly described how cows ingest plastic while foraging for food in garbage and waste dumps — an action driven by hunger and human negligence in waste disposal. However, cows and bulls are not the only animals exposed to and attracted to discarded food packed in plastic bags or wrappers.

We have not spared even wild animals. We visit forests, national parks and other protected wildlife areas to enjoy nature, yet ‘graciously’ leave our plastic footprints behind. There have been several incidents in Mumbai’s own Sanjay Gandhi National Park where spotted deer have been seen consuming plastic wrappers and even plastic bags carelessly discarded by irresponsible tourists.

Whether it is deer, cows, bulls or any other herbivorous animal, the consequences are severe. The accumulation of plastic causes blockages in the stomach and intestines, leading to severe constipation and ruminal impaction. Plastic fills the stomach, making the animal feel full and reducing its appetite for nutritious food, which results in weight loss, weakness and eventual starvation.

Sharp pieces of plastic can cause internal wounds and serious infections. The blockage also prevents proper digestion and the release of gases, leading to painful bloating and difficulty in breathing, which can often be fatal. Chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, such as bisphenols, lead and cadmium, can leach into these animals’ systems and may even enter the human food chain through milk and meat products.

In many cases, the long-term effects of plastic ingestion result in a slow and extremely painful death.

In May 2025, a photograph of a female elephant with a swollen abdomen, found dead in a water body near Coimbatore, went viral and shocked the nation. Initial speculation surrounded the cause of death, but the post-mortem revealed a tragic reality — the elephant was pregnant and had died due to the consumption of plastic waste. The incident served as a grim reminder of how human-generated litter is silently claiming the lives of even the largest wild animals.

More recently, video footage released earlier this month from the Shola forests in Karnataka’s Brahmagiri hills showed wildlife researchers discovering significant quantities of plastic waste embedded in elephant dung. The visuals clearly indicated how deeply plastic pollution has penetrated natural habitats that were once considered untouched and pristine.

Disturbing incidents are being reported from other protected forests as well. In Tadoba National Park, a young tiger was filmed playing with and chewing a discarded plastic bottle, raising serious concerns about tourist behaviour and waste management inside wildlife zones. Such interactions not only alter natural animal behaviour but also expose wildlife to potentially fatal health risks.

The problem extends beyond large mammals. Snakes are often found trapped inside plastic bags, unable to escape. Stray dogs frequently get their heads or limbs stuck in discarded plastic containers and packaging, a distressingly common sight in both urban and semi-urban areas. Increasingly, both stray and wild animals are being exposed to plastic litter carelessly generated and abandoned by humans, turning everyday waste into a widespread environmental and animal welfare crisis.

The menace of plastic pollution does not end on land alone. In my earlier articles in this series, I had highlighted that plastic waste generated in our homes does not simply disappear. Every piece of plastic we discard continues its journey somewhere. Much of this waste is carelessly thrown onto open land, setting off a chain of environmental damage that often goes unnoticed.

Imagine a familiar scene. Six-year-old Meir and his cousin Advay are playing on an open ground with their friends when a passer-by casually throws an empty PET water bottle and a polythene bag nearby before walking away. For him, it may seem insignificant, but that single act begins another journey of pollution.

Curious to know where the plastic finally ends up, Meir and Advay decide to follow its path. Where does this waste go once it leaves our sight? Let us join them next week as they trace the journey of plastic beyond our homes. Until then, have a mindful and plastic-free weekend.

(The author is an environmentalist. Views personal.)