IFAW launches tsunami disaster relief operation for livestock and companion animals in Asia

[Guest guest]

Good morning,

 

All of us at IFAW are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and terrible

human suffering caused by the tsunamis in Southern Asia. The impact of the

tsunamis on wildlife and coastal habitats remains difficult to assess, but very

significant numbers of domestic animals including livestock and pets have been

displaced and separated from their owners, threatening both human and animal

well being.

 

In response, IFAW deployed team members and animal care experts from Australia,

China, India, the United Kingdom and the United States to work collaboratively

with local groups and communities in affected areas in India, Sri Lanka and

Thailand. More information on these activities follows.

 

 

Contact: Chris Cutter (IFAW) - US Tel: 1 (508) 744-2066; Email:

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Editors: Photos available. For more information visit <http://www.ifaw.org/>

www.ifaw.org

 

 

 

IFAW launches tsunami disaster relief operation for livestock and companion

animals in Asia

 

 

 

 

 

(Yarmouth Port, MA - 10 January 2005) - IFAW (International Fund for Animal

Welfare - www.ifaw.org <http://www.ifaw.org/> ) has launched a relief operation

in Southern Asia to help animals and people affected by the recent disaster.

IFAW teams are helping local people in tsunami-devastated coastal fishing

communities protect their abandoned livestock, and companion animals, by

providing food, temporary shelters and vaccinating animals against diseases.

 

 

 

IFAW has deployed emergency relief teams of veterinarians and animal care

experts from Australia, China, United Kingdom and the United States to work

collaboratively with local groups in affected areas in India, Sri Lanka and

Thailand.

 

 

 

" This is a unique operation where IFAW and local animal welfare groups have come

together to help animals and people in this time of unprecedented need, " said

IFAW President Fred O'Regan. " Animal welfare and human well-being are not

separate concerns. They are inextricably linked and core to IFAW's mission. "

 

 

 

As fears of disease outbreaks intensified due to unsanitary conditions created

by the tsunami, a massive vaccination program began in the coastal villages of

north and south Madras, India and stretching up to areas in Mahabalipuram. Over

500 cattle and goats have received vaccinations against such diseases as foot

and mouth, blackquarter, hemorrhagic septicemia and tetanus. Hundreds of

abandoned dogs are being vaccinated against common canine infectious diseases

including rabies and tetanus in these areas.

 

 

 

Off the Tamil Nadu coast, on an island near Cuddalore, in southern India, IFAW

is caring for more than 50 cattle and a few hundred goats marooned on the barren

sand banks without food and water due to the tsunami. Nearly 500 of the 1500

inhabitants of the now desolate island were washed away in the tsunami. Those

few survivors who escaped could not take their livestock as they fled the island

using broken fishing boats. The IFAW team is now camped on the island providing

care and feeding these animals until they can be reunited with their owners.

 

 

 

" For many survivors in these areas, their livestock has become their lifeline.

By saving their animals we are literally saving their lives, " said Anand

Ramanathan, IFAW's Emergency Relief Operations Manager.

 

 

 

In addition to efforts in India, an IFAW sponsored stray dog vaccination drive

is under way in Sri Lanka. In Phuket and Khao lak, areas in Thailand devastated

by the tsunami, IFAW is providing food and medical care to homeless companion

animals and livestock. IFAW is also using a mobile veterinary clinic based in

Bali in Indonesia to bring mobilize supplies of food, water and medicines to

animals in Banda Aceh, one of the coastal towns most devastated by the

earthquake and tsunami.

 

 

 

With operations already underway to bring disaster relief to companion animals

and livestock, IFAW working in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India, is

undertaking wildlife and habitat disaster assessments in coastal wildlife

refuges in southern Tamil Nadu and the Anaman and Nicobar Islands. Wildlife

habitats - especially endangered sea turtle nesting areas, coral reefs,

mangroves, and wildlife refuges that are generally abundant in biodiversity -

are presumably devastated. These field assessments will help identify

opportunities to develop long-term strategies for future wildlife habitat

restoration efforts and for involving local communities in conserving their

biodiversity.

 

 

 

To support IFAW's relief efforts or to receive updates on our progress, visit

the IFAW web site at <http://www.ifaw.org/> www.ifaw.org.

 

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and conservation

organization that works to protect wild and domestic animals and to broker

solutions that benefit both animals and people. With offices in 15 countries

around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great apes, big cats,

dogs and cats, seals, and other animals. To learn how to help IFAW protect

animals, please visit www.ifaw.org.

 

 

 

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<http://www.ifaw.org/>

 

 

 

 

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wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

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