Over 100 animals being cared for in Wayanad after devastating landslides

For the ninth day, rescue and relief operations are underway in the landslide-hit hillside villages of Wayanad, Kerala. While the obvious focus of the multi-agency rescue operation has remained on rescuing victims and recovering the mortal remains of those who haven't made it, there is a lesser-known effort that's underway - caring for the animals that have been affected by this immeasurable tragedy.

After daybreak on Tuesday (July 30), as the rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Kerala state authorities commenced, a team of volunteers focused on animal rescue started work in the affected villages.

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"Whenever a disaster strikes, the authorities arrange shelters where the survivors and dislocated people can be accommodated temporarily. However, there are no such designated shelters for animals. Our task is to rescue the animals, move them to a safe location, and offer them medical relief and food. So far, we have been able to provide aid to 90 cattle, 22 dogs, seven cats, and more than 50 fowl," Praveen from Humane Society International (HSI) told WION.

In the aftermath of a disaster, animals are under serious distress, owing to multiple factors around them. It could be the massive activity around them, the huge mobilisation of people and the noisy environment of the rescue and relief efforts, the loss of the caretakerfamily, the loss of a home, etc. Under such circumstances, there are several cases where animals who don't feed on their own or accept food and may have sustained injuries.

Praveen's 10-member team comprises volunteers from Wayanad, personnel from HSI, and two vets. The teams first feed the animals and then offer them basic first aid, if necessary. In the case of animals that need further care, they are moved to an animal husbandry facility.

In caseswhere it is extremely critical, they make the decision to relocate the animal from the disaster site. In some cases, they try to find a new home for the pets and give them up for adoption.

Animal care is a delicate process, and it doesn't end with the initial aid provided. We need to soon start focussing on post-disaster care, Praveen added. He said that cattle would have to be dewormed, as they tend to get sick after grazing amid the debris and slush in the aftermath of the landslide. Further, the animals that have been eating very little owing to the stress factors would have to be provided special care.