Paraguayan soldier dies after being gored by deer on grounds of presidential residence
A deer gored and killed a Paraguayan soldier who was guarding the country's presidential residence, Reuters reported.
Víctor César Isasi Flecha, a 42-year-old assistant sergeant in Paraguay's army, died Monday night "from a perforation in the thorax" after the deer attacked him that morning during a routine patrol. Military spokesman Colonel Victor Urdapilleta confirmed his death Tuesday morning and promised that Flecha's family would be compensated.
According to France24, the deer was a chital, a species native to the Indian subcontinent, and was one of many animals that wander the more than 20 hectares of the Mburuvicha Róga presidential residence. The chital is also known as the axis deer and has antlers that can exceed 3 feet in length.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Urdapilleta said that although Paraguayan presidents have long kept animals — including ostriches, macaws, rheas, and ponies — on the residence grounds, this is the first such attack of which he is aware.
Frederic Bauer, director of wildlife at the country's environment ministry, confirmed that the chital was reared on a government ranch before being donated to the presidential residence and said it is "not appropriate to have exotic animals in captivity."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published