Fw: News Release fyi - Mumbai floods

[Guest guest]

>> " Sarah Pickering " wrote:

 

For immediate release: 11 August 05

 

News release

 

Mercy mission for Mumbai flood victims

 

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is going to the aid of

thousands of animals stranded or at risk of starvation and disease after severe

floods which have devastated communities and their livestock in and around

Mumbai, India.

 

Heavy rainfall in recent weeks has resulted in several rivers bursting their

banks, creating huge flood plains. More than 15,000 sheep and goats have drowned

in slaughter yards along with up to 1,500 buffalo which were tethered in stalls.

Damaged infrastructures have also left people unable to care for surviving

animals that they rely on for food or their livelihood.

 

WSPA is helping to stabilise the situation by delivering emergency veterinary

care and fodder for animals through its member societies the Bombay Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) and Animal Help Foundation (AHF).

 

BSPCA’s team of veterinarians are visiting affected livestock in Mumbai, where

animals are in need of antibiotics, painkillers and food supplements. AHF is

coordinating relief work through government departments and other agencies in

the Satara, Sangali and Miraj districts of Maharashtra, where more than a

thousand towns and villages were affected when the Krishna, Koyna and Varana

rivers overflowed. WSPA Member Society the Plant and Animal Welfare Society

(PAWS) are also working in the region, distributing fodder and treating injured

animals.

 

Major General Peter Davies, WSPA Director General, said, “Quick intervention has

enabled teams of veterinarians to ensure vital emergency relief aid reaches all

the affected areas. The situation is slowly stabilising and the authorities have

reported that flood waters are receding.”

 

As well as working in response to natural disasters, the BSPCA runs a hospital,

an anti-rabies programme and a law enforcement programme. The organisation

treats thousands of animals a year in its hospital in collaboration with the

Bombay Veterinary College and obtains over 2,000 convictions a year for animal

cruelty.

 

AHF worked with WSPA on the Gujarat earthquake disaster relief mission in

February 2001 and is experienced at providing emergency relief.

 

PAWS runs an animal ambulance, wildlife rehabilitation centre and stray control

programme.

 

-ends-

 

For further information, visuals ©BSPCA and ©PAWS or interviews with Dr Roy

Jones, WSPA's Wildlife Co-ordinator/Charlotte Scott, WSPA's Member Society

Development Manager, contact: Sarah Pickering on 020 7587 5000 or mobile 07921

124583.