Forensic scientists caught a deer munching on a human carcass for the first time ever
Forensic scientists caught a deer munching on a human carcass for the first time ever
It’s gruesome, but could help investigations
Sarah Fecht
By Sarah Fecht
May 5, 2017
https://www.popsci.com/deer-eating-human-remains/
Warning: the photos at site may be disturbing for some people.
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In July 2014, researchers left a body in a wooded part of FARF. They wanted to learn about how different scavengers leave their marks on human remains, so they set up a motion-sensitive camera to see who would stop by. In this part of Texas, it's not unusual to see foxes, turkey vultures, raccoons, coyotes, and other carrion-gobblers picking at a corpse. But after a few months, someone new came to the table.
On January 5, 2015, the camera caught a glimpse of a young white-tailed deer standing near the skeleton with a human rib bone in its mouth. Then it happened again on January 13—the camera caught a deer with another rib sticking out of its mouth like a cigar. It’s not clear whether it was the same deer in both cases, but it's certainly possible first one came back for seconds.
It is not, however, the first time we've seen deer violating their vegetarian diets. In fact, they're known to have a taste for blood. Previously they've been spotted eating fish, bats, and dead rabbits. Scientists think deer and other herbivores may occasionally seek out flesh to get minerals—such as phosphorus, salt, and calcium—that may be missing from their regular diets, especially in wintertime.
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Although it’s likely rare for deer to munch on human remains, being able to recognize the signs of ungulate gnawing may help investigators pinpoint where a body came from and how long it’s been dead—which could help turn a mysteriously mangled crime scene into a solved case.
= new reply since forum marked as read
It appeared to be munching on the ribcage. As the article notes, I would think it was after the calcium and phosphorus.
I was headed out to go fishing. It was 6:15 and I was only going 45 in a 55 zone because so many animals were out at that time. A young 4 point in velvet jumped out in front of me and I hit it. Been driving for for 50 years and that's the first time I've really hit one. He had hit the corner of the van and it split his head open between his antlers and he died.
Gave up on fishing before I could get the boat in the water. Thru the poor thing in the boat and headed home. Had some steaks tonight and pretty tasty. On my 2 acres I have lots of bird feeding stations. A first, having vultures visit, lots of crows and waiting for the local pair of eagles to stop by for the gut pile.
Now I feel a little better and please don't judge me. 
