Tails
in the News
By
Jennifer Martin
As the world received news about the catastrophic tsunamis in
South
Asia, wildlife experts had an interesting report: Few wild animals
died. Instead, they made their way to high ground ahead of the waves. Some said
they may have had a “sixth sense;” others theorized they detected low-frequency
rumbling sounds and/or vibrations. Whatever the case may be, animal-lovers
worldwide were relieved that the wild-animal population was largely spared.
However, it was a different
story for farm animals and pets, who were trapped in pens, doghouses, or other
captive environments. Many died; tens of thousands were left homeless, injured,
hungry, and without a source of clean drinking water. To deal with these
forgotten victims, animal rescue groups have dispatched workers to the
hardest-hit areas.
The Humane Society of the
United States is funding a “M*A*S*H” unit for
pets in
Phuket,
Thailand,
and also has sent a veterinary team to
Sumatra,
where it was believed agricultural animals took especially heavy injuries. The
Soi Dog Foundation is desperate for food donations as it struggles to feed
hundreds of stray dogs in
Thailand.
The dogs were once sustained by scraps from local restaurants and food stands, which
were washed away. Sadly, Leone Cosens, co-founder of the Phuket Animal Welfare
Society and a Soi Dog volunteer, died in the tragedy.
Wildlife S.O.S. and
Friendicoes have dispatched three teams to treat surviving animals in
India. Food and
water are a critical issue, as the soil and wells have been soaked with salt. Geeta
Seshamani, the founder of Friendicoes, said, “For the survivors, their
livestock has become their lifeline, and finding even a pet dog or cat is now
assuming a larger-than-life meaning.”
Best Friends Animal Society in
Kanab,
Utah, reports that
a worker with the Visakha SPCA of southern
India is caring for hundreds of
cows. With his volunteers and staff, he’s also feeding stranded dogs and other
animals in 20 devastated villages. The World Society for the Protection of
Animals is also coordinating relief, working with local agencies to bring food
and veterinary supplies to devastated areas.
Even amidst all the sadness,
there are some stories of animal heroes. According to the Jakarta Post, a woman
named Riza was swept away in the waves only to be approached by a large snake
the size of a telephone pole. But instead of attacking, the snake allowed her
and two 9-year-old girls to rest on his body until they reached high ground.
Riza said she slapped her face to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
In
India, one mother knew she’d have
to rush her three children to safety when she saw the wave coming. She grabbed her
two youngest children and told her 7-year-old son to follow her up a hill.
Instead, he ran back into their hut, panicked. The family dog saved his life by
racing to the hut and nipping at, pushing, and nudging him up the hill. The dog
and the entire family survived.
In spite of the tremendous work
and financial strain involved, animal welfare groups are vowing to continue
caring for lost pets and homeless livestock. Experts say this is a part of the rebuilding
effort as the region gets on its feet again agriculturally… and as families
experience a certain amount of comfort by being reunited with their beloved
animals.
To donate to animal relief efforts, visit:
www.BestFriends.org
www.HSUS.org
www.SoiDogFoundation.org
www.wspa-usa.org
