It was terrible to see for the managers of the deer park in the Hortensia Park in Helmond. Monday they found a dying deer near the fences. Someone had thrown plastic into the meadow on Sunday evening, where the animal had eaten. He was in danger of suffocation because of the plastic in his throat and in a panic he ran into the fence several times.
“He was still alive, but we had him put to sleep in consultation with the vet,” says Maarten Koolen, chairman of the Stichting Dierenparken Helmond. Plastic was still sticking out of the deer’s mouth. “But the plastic was on a roll of bags and it was the long ribbon. He swallowed a meter, it was all the way into his stomach and esophagus.”
The zoo regularly warns about the danger of plastic. There are also warning signs. “We also once removed plastic from the antlers of a deer that was in a panic. Our animals are just like our children to us. Losing an animal is never fun, especially if it could have been prevented.”
The zoo is going to point out to people that it is dangerous to take plastic with you. “We are placing extra information boards, on which we also explain what the dangers are and what food is and is not allowed. And in collaboration with the ROC, we will start an experiment from September with the students of the security training. They can keep an eye on things. and inform and address people.”
In the worst case, no more feeding is allowed at all. “Such a ban is also on the way from The Hague for ducks. Perhaps we should also introduce it for deer in our park.”