Is It Safe to Consume an Animal That Died Naturally?

When faced with the prospect of consuming a recently deceased animal, especially one that perished due to natural causes, it is paramount to consider the myriad factors that could impact its safety. This article delves into the various scenarios where animals might die naturally and evaluates the risks involved in consuming them.

Understanding Natural Causes of Death

No matter the cause of death, the potential to ingest harmful substances increases notably. Animals, by their very nature, often consume items such as droppings or body parts from other potentially ill animals, which can introduce dangerous pathogens or parasites into their systems. This is an inherent risk that must be acknowledged before considering consumption.

Examples from Family Farm Life

Based on my experience on a relative's farm, several scenarios highlight the challenges in determining the safety of consuming a dead animal:

Heart Attack

One common natural cause of death is a heart attack. This scenario is particularly concerning as animals that die from a heart attack have a high chance of harboring parasites like heartworms. Although the pig that recently died from a heart attack is currently being consumed, it is not advised to eat an animal that has died this way in the wild. Often, a heart attack in animals is due to a chronic parasitic infection, making it unsafe for consumption.

Dehydration from Bacterial Diarrhea

During the summer, we frequently encountered calves affected by bacterial diarrhea that caused dehydration. While no evidence suggests transmissibility to humans, consuming an animal that died from this disease is still highly discouraged. In fact, one of our calves recently succumbed to this disease, and the rapidity of its death highlights the severity of the condition. The risk of consuming such an animal is further emphasized when considering the potential for bacterial infection.

Anthrax

Another case to consider is the infamous Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium responsible for anthrax. This disease led to the deaths of several of our cows last year. Anthrax is a deadly zoonotic disease, and the carcasses we encountered were deemed so dangerous that they were never handled.

Infected Wounds

Consuming an animal with an infected wound poses the risk of tetanus, a potentially fatal bacterial disease. The mere presence of infected flesh in a carcass is enough to deter consumption, as the resulting toxins can cause severe, life-threatening symptoms.

Rabies and Predation

While predation might seem like a clean way to die (i.e., with no human intervention), the risk lies in the predator's potential to have already consumed and transmitted infections. Even if the animal appears healthy, the risk of rabies or other infections makes predation a risky choice for consumption.

The Verdict: Nature Is Not Nice

The overarching theme from these examples is clear: most animals that die naturally due to infection, predation, parasites, and other harmful factors pose a significant risk to human health. Consuming such animals is not advised based on the potential for harmful substances that could actively harm humans. Nature is inherently unkind, and attempting to change this reality is not advisable.

Moral of the Story: When faced with the decision of consuming a recently deceased animal, it is crucial to recognize the inherent risks and opt for safety over convenience. Nature is not to be trusted when it comes to consuming dead animals.