Mr Brown ate toxic berries
A toxic plant growing in the Bunny Park is believed to be responsible for the death of Mr Brown, the cow which died at the facility a month ago.
“The histopathology results show massive liver damage,” said metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, in a statement on June 10.
READ: ‘We will sleep here’ – Bunny Park interest groups
“The pathologist is of the opinion that it was most likely due to hepato-toxins, which can be found commonly in plants from the Cestrum species, such as Inkberry.”
Dlamini added that several Inkberry plants were found in the cattle camp and “were immediately removed and destroyed”.
Vicky Finnemore, Benoni SPCA senior inspector, said the metro initially had a different autopsy done on the day the cow died.
“They then had a second autopsy done, the results of which arrived a week later,” Finnemore said.
According to Tania Forrest-Smith, of the Bunny Park Animals 911 Group, the metro’s initial findings indicated “red gut” was to blame for the cow’s death, contradicting the second set of findings.
“Animals instinctively stay away from poisonous plants; this plant grows all over the park and the animals all avoid it,” said Forrest-Smith.
“Why did only one cow, from a herd of six, suddenly eat it, if they are not starving anymore?”
Mr Brown was found dead in the cow enclosure on May 13.
In a follow-up enquiry, the metro was asked whether all Inkberry plants have been removed from the park, whether two autopsies were conducted and, if their conclusions were contradictory, whether or not a third autopsy would be conducted.
No additional comment was forthcoming at the time of going to print.
Also read:
- Councillor does not want to see Bunny Park close
- Bunny Park feeders call for turnaround
- Bunny Park staff to face cruelty charges
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