- Title: SAOMA: Animal welfare workers help pets and livestock in tsunami-hit region
- Date: 4th October 2009
- Summary: SIUMU, SAMOA (SEPTEMBER 30, 2009) (REUTERS) LOCALS LOOKING AT SEA TURTLE WASHED UP DEBRIS
- Embargoed: 19th October 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVAB6XYYACBZVEI4PSR9XDFFXB9
- Story Text: As Samoans came to grips with the tsunami that killed hundreds, animal welfare workers rushed to help animals left homeless by the calamity.
On the day the tsunami struck, a large amount of debris washed up onto the shores of the island, bringing along with it sea creatures.
Locals found a sea turtle under the rubble of a house having survived the tsunami which struck earlier in the week.
But many animals were not so lucky. Alot of livestock and pets were believed to have perished, either due to the killer waves or in the aftermath, when owners could not look after them.
Hungry dogs could be seen roaming the beaches and rubble, looking for food and water.
Animal welfare groups were doing the rounds, feeding the malnourished animals they found.
"What we can gather most of the livestock that were here chickens and pigs haven't survived, this family has some pigs and chickens left but we haven't seen many pigs and chickens. Mostly just dogs that have survived although a lot of them appeared to be homeless, either that the people have abandoned them or people have gone, lost in tsunami. We are trying to look after them until they find new homes," said Skye Turner, a veterinarian with the Samoan Animal Protection Society.
Relief supplies have been arriving on the island for the tens of thousands whose homes were swamped by 5-meter waves.
Many burials of have taken place as grieving families laid relatives to rest.
Thousands are still camped out on higher grounds too afraid to go back to their homes on the coast. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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