IFAW to help animals affected by severe flooding in Tabasco, Mexico
8 November 2007
(Yarmouth Port, Mass) - The worst floods of the last 50 years have devastated southeast Mexico, where the water now covers 80% of the state of Tabasco. IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) has sent a rescue team to evaluate the impact to animals and habitat, with the purpose implementing an emergency relief plan.
To date there have been reports of 3 human deaths, more than
twenty thousand people trapped in their homes, and thousands more displaced as
refugees. An enormous number of farm animals have died or are still trapped by
the flood waters. Another concern is companion animals which were unable to
evacuate with their owners. These animals now face hunger and adverse health
conditions.
“IFAW’s priority is to help mitigate the magnitude of the disaster for the affected people of Tabasco by giving attention to their animals which, in many cases, are all these people have left,” said Beatriz Bugeda, IFAW’s Director for Latin America.
In Tabasco, IFAW is working with local authorities, as well as other institutions and organizations. Preliminary agreements have been established with the Pro–Animal Committee, the coalition UNAM-ILPH-DST, the Veterinary School of Tabasco, the University of Tabasco, and the Secretary of Development of Agriculture and Forestry of the State of Tabasco. IFAW is collaborating with these groups to help domestic and farm animals affected by the floods. The scale of the disaster is enormous.
IFAW is also helping to send two mobile clinics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with specialized personal to give medical attention to production, farm, and companion animals. The clinics are critically important in responding to trapped animals, especially in areas where help has yet to arrive.
“We fear that many of these animals have been semi-submerged in water for days, and will probably present sicknesses like pododermatitis (lesions in legs), parasitosis, respiratory and digestive problems,” said Dr. Francisco Galindo of IFAW.
IFAW is also working with local authorities to conduct a census of companion animals at the evacuation centers, which have been set up for refugees. That information will be used to facilitate medical attention and food for the affected animals.
To get more involved in helping the animals of Tabasco visit www.ifaw.org.
For media-related inquiries, contact:
Chris Cutter (IFAW, Headquarters)
Tel: (508) 737-4623
Email: ccutter@ifaw.org
Aimee Leslie (IFAW, América Latina)
Tel: (+5255) 5661-4859
Email: aleslie@ifaw.org
“IFAW’s priority is to help mitigate the magnitude of the disaster for the affected people of Tabasco by giving attention to their animals which, in many cases, are all these people have left,” said Beatriz Bugeda, IFAW’s Director for Latin America.
In Tabasco, IFAW is working with local authorities, as well as other institutions and organizations. Preliminary agreements have been established with the Pro–Animal Committee, the coalition UNAM-ILPH-DST, the Veterinary School of Tabasco, the University of Tabasco, and the Secretary of Development of Agriculture and Forestry of the State of Tabasco. IFAW is collaborating with these groups to help domestic and farm animals affected by the floods. The scale of the disaster is enormous.
IFAW is also helping to send two mobile clinics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with specialized personal to give medical attention to production, farm, and companion animals. The clinics are critically important in responding to trapped animals, especially in areas where help has yet to arrive.
“We fear that many of these animals have been semi-submerged in water for days, and will probably present sicknesses like pododermatitis (lesions in legs), parasitosis, respiratory and digestive problems,” said Dr. Francisco Galindo of IFAW.
IFAW is also working with local authorities to conduct a census of companion animals at the evacuation centers, which have been set up for refugees. That information will be used to facilitate medical attention and food for the affected animals.
To get more involved in helping the animals of Tabasco visit www.ifaw.org.
For media-related inquiries, contact:
Chris Cutter (IFAW, Headquarters)
Tel: (508) 737-4623
Email: ccutter@ifaw.org
Aimee Leslie (IFAW, América Latina)
Tel: (+5255) 5661-4859
Email: aleslie@ifaw.org
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Photo © IFAW
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Photo © IFAW
