Global body assists flood-hit Ker in animal recovery

World Animal Protection, an international non-profit animal welfare organisation, has joined hands with the Kerala government for recovery and rehabilitation of animals affected by the recent floods in the state.

The outfit is partnering with the state Department of Animal Husbandry and the Red Cross Society's Kerala chapter in the effort, a release said here Wednesday.

It said according to figures provided by the department, as many as 46,016 livestock and 2,500,000 poultry succumbed to the floods and continuous heavy rains, which had lashed the state last month.

The impact of the devastating floods on animals cannot be overstated, World Animal Protection (WAP), India Country Director, Gajender K Sharma, said.

"In some areas, virtually all animals were killed or suffered in the days following the deluge. We are in Kerala to provide relief to as many animals as possible and to see how this tragedy can be prevented from recurring in the future," he said.

"Together with the Department of Animal Husbandry and the Indian Red Cross Society we are ensuring that animal welfare needs are met concurrent with the humanitarian effort," the official said.

The disaster response teams of the outfit are working at 12 locations in the districts of Alappuzha, Pathnamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur.

They are addressing the persistent needs of livestock stranded in evacuation camps following the rains and floods that began in July, it said.

"The Kerala floods remind us that disaster preparedness for animals is critically important. Many of these animals could have been saved if a disaster plan that included their needs was in place," Sharma said.

WAP would engage with the state government to ensure that it develops a plan for protecting animals during disasters and offer technical support in the initiative, the release said.

"Animals are often the forgotten victims of disasters. We are here to be a voice for the voiceless," WAP Disaster Projects Manager India Hansen Thambi Prem said.

The landslides and floods had claimed 493 lives in the state since the onset of South-West monsoon on May 29.