Animals Of Mundakkai, Chooralmala: What Happened To Them? (image-X/IaSouthern)
As devastating stories continue to come out of the landslide-struck Wayaanad district in Kerala, the death toll also rises by each passing day. Amidst all this, a forgotten part of the tragic incident should also be brought to light. The destructive landslide has also ravaged the lives of both wild and domestic animals.
Rescuers, who have reportedly been told to prioritise human lives, are finding it tough to rescue and feed them. Ambili Purackal, founder member of Ernakulam-based animal welfare association, stated that the authorities have not allowed animal rights activists to enter the disaster-hit area to take care of the animals, as per The Federal. Sreedevi S Kartha, trustee of People for Animals in Thiruvananthapuram, told The New Indian Express confirmed the same.
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Reports of dogs roaming around in search of their puppies and their human family members have surfaced. Puthiya Thalamura recounted the story of a dog barking outside what used to be his house and staying in the now empty spot, waiting. Hoping for its owners to return and refusing to leave even it was dark and cold.
At the same time, a heartwarming story also emerged from the ruined areas where death looms. While escaping the landslide, Sujatha and her family sought refuge atop a hill only to be face-to-face with a tusker and two female elephants standing nearby. Mumbling her plight in fear to the elephants, Sujatha says the large animals did not attack them. In fact, she said that they even seemed to understand their helplessness. “I could see its eyes welling up and tears flowing from its eyes,” Sujatha said.
The elephants almost seemed to have stood guard till 6 am until others came and rescued the family who is currently staying in a relief camp at Meppadi GHSS.
Volunteers of the Muslim League Emergency Service Team helped a cow, which was in pain and engorged with milk after the baby and the family that cared for it were washed away in the landslide. After seeing its plight, the volunteers milked the cow, providing it much needed relief. The volunteers told Mathrubhumi that they have been discussing about arranging services for animals like dogs, cats and cattle as well and expressed their willingness to save humans and animals alike.
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Meanwhile, nearly 100 heads of cattle have reportedly been lost. Although the extent of the damage caused to livestock remains unclear, the preliminary level statistics by the Animal Husbandry department states that nearly 150 cattle and 75 goats have died in the landslides.
Purackal also highlighted that while animals – wild and domestic – are not given a priority, the ones that are being saved need to be taken care of accordingly. Medicines, relief, shelter are the key requirements for the animals.
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“In fact, we are getting many calls from people offering to adopt the pets abandoned or orphaned after the landslide,” she told The Federal, adding that such kind of work requires significant coordination which the rescue officers cannot get into with their plates already full with the many responsibilities.
Over 350 people have died in the tragic incident while more than 250 are feared trapped under the debris in Wayanad.
Several animal care volunteers have come forward in extending medical attention and a shelter to the rescued animals.
A rescue officer from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said that several animals, including dogs and cattle, have been spotted in safe regions or island-like areas created during the landslides. The animals have taken refuge there for now, the SDRF personnel added.
The full extent of the losses will only be known as rescue operations progress in the coming days. However, questions regarding their rescue and rehabilitation continue to hover with no concrete answers available yet.
