February 2, 2017,
Thousands of farm animals have been killed in the wildfires and thousands are in need of life saving treatment,food and shelter. Local groups have called on the services of volunteer agencies experienced in helping animals affected by natural disasters around the world.
The update below is from the manager of one of these groups who have set up camp in Doñihue, 68 miles south of Santiago.
http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/news/ifaw-gaap-respond-chile-wildfires
"As you might already know, the wildfires currently consuming Chilean forests have been declared one of the worst tragedies in the country's history. By this Thursday over 6.000 people have been evacuated. An entire community burned to the ground. People and animals have died, and many are injured. Right now our IFAW-GAAP team is working on site, evacuating and assisting those animals still trapped or badly injured.
Much more coming up on this. Please follow both IFAW and GAAP's social networks for updates about the current situation in Chile.
Remember you can support the IFAW-GAAP Disaster Assistance program by donating here."
+++++++++++++++++
On an individual level, some people,like the veterinarian husband of a friend of Susaan Straus is caring for burned horses on his own nickel, and raising money for the cause personally.
An Associated Press story dated January 28 wrote that "The carcasses of charred horses, lambs and chickens have been buried in pits to avoid the spread of infectious diseases. TV images show town dwellers outside their wooden homes armed with buckets of water, hoping it will be enough to battle the flames. But those efforts are often undone as winds or smouldering ash spread the fires anew."
Not only have thousands lost their homes but they've lost sources of food and income and in the case of horses, power to pull plows and transportation by cart or horse.
Gathered from media sources and from friends of Susaan Straus of Chilefarms in Nogales, Chile, which is far from the danger zone.
Comments