Despite being designated as a
permanent danger zone, the Volcano Island of Taal Lake actually is home to busy
communities that are politically part of two lakeshore municipalities of
Batangas. These neighborhoods brave the risk of volcanic eruption to farm on
the fertile soil and fish at the center of the lake. They also keep livestock
and other animals as is natural. But when Taal Volcano began its lengthy
eruption last January 12, the evacuating residents were forced to leave their
animals behind. Such a state was unacceptable to local members of People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals, and they have since taken action.
The Philippine Star has it that volunteers from People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals (PETA) have braved the lake-bound Coast Guard patrols
warding off travellers to the ash-covered Taal Volcano Island in order to
liberate and transport animals trapped to fend for themselves after their
owners were forced to flee from the current eruption. A statement from PETA
this Friday, January 24, reports that thus far they have managed to rescue 132
live animals out of the heart of the disaster zone, but that these were the
lucky ones compared to the many other now-dead and rotting creatures on the
island at this point.
During the PETA animal rescue
operation, they even ran into a familiar canine face in “Palakitik,” a
household pet dog that PETA volunteers have met and cared for during their
previous veterinary visits to Volcano Island. And as not all the surviving
animals have been evacuated yet, PETA has also been leaving them supplies of
fresh water and up to 150 total kilograms of food so that they do not starve
after the ash-fall killed off all vegetation. Many rescued animals include
dogs, cats, domestic fowl such as ducks and chickens as well as wild birds like
herons and owls.
While PETA volunteers continue to
transport trapped animals on the island of Taal Volcano, and caring for those
still not moved, the organization also met with government officials of the two
municipalities sharing Volcano Island. The immediate concern now is the
logistics of how to rescue the larger livestock like cows and horses,
especially as there are signs that volcanic activity in Taal might be intensifying
again. All must quickly be removed from the 14-kilometer danger zone
surrounding the lake.
Aside from Palakitik the dog, other
notable animals rescued by the PETA effort include a horse named Princess, who
unfortunately died after evacuation due to respiratory problems, and a baby owl
found by police officers, named “Tala” after the Sarah Geronimo song that is
currently linked to the erupting Taal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment