Help Rescue Kerala's Flood-Hit Animals

The floods in Kerala have caused unprecedented damage to crops and property. And the state’s wildlife has perhaps been the most severely hit.

Water everywhere, road signs missing, known paths merging with waterways, where the smallest mistake would be a rough shove down a heavy current downflow. Animals tied and unable to let their natural survival instincts save them, or inside cages secured from the outside. There’s only despair, shock, helplessness and death of an unimaginable kind.

Imagine the plight of a heavily lactating cow, stranded with nothing but water around her, not knowing when the heavy downpour thundering on her would stop!  

Rescuers are pulling out pedigree breeds, dozens every day, left behind by ‘owners’ who moved to safer and drier grounds. The nightmare is yet to unfold, even as rescue operations have just gained momentum, in a state bereft of skilled and committed animal rescuers.

Ghastlier scenes have emerged. Hundreds of rabbits were asked to be rescued by unscrupulous breeders who supply them to local restaurants. If domestic and captive animals are showing a picture of dismay, the wilder ones are worse.

Idukki district is mostly beyond the call of rescues – thousands have perished in landslides, irreplaceable wealth lost in a couple of days.

Image courtesy Twitter user @NDRFHQ

Pictures are emerging of dead cobras, majestic even as their bruised bodies float along slushy waters, or hundreds of others animals stuck indoors as the wildlife of Kerala scurried for safety in a state rapidly losing its forests and open lands to rapid commercialization and reckless construction.

In a state where all eyes are on human displacement and property damage, there’s very little thought being given to animals. Yet, the 100-odd heroes on site (and the 100 more providing guidance, backing and social awareness on the severity of the disaster), move on unflinchingly. Many have travelled hundreds of miles driven only by their love for all things living!

Teams from Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad have converged, specialists in wildlife, snakes, birds have all joined hands. Goals are immense, and time rapidly running out as stories of dogs on terraces for three days, kittens floating in tubs and baby elephants injured and stranded all come to the fore.

Screenshot via Facebook user Shravan Krishnan

While the odd animal rescue story has come to the fore, the task is far from over. It has just begun. We will soon know the impact of flood waters on these animals. Thousands of cattle, chicken in submerged poultry farms as well as herded goats are all potential time bombs in disease outbreaks. And what will become of those who were heartless enough to desert their pets – will they strive to locate and reclaim them?

If you read this far, then it is time to know you have a role to play. Help rescuers with the materials they will need as more animals need food and care. Be aware of the pains of these beautiful creatures – hundreds of them may need homes they can call their own.

Shelters must be built, dogs and cats must be adopted, babies reunited and senior animals rehabilitated. Massive forest areas will need to be rebuilt and allowed to bloom for life to resume.

Image via PTI

Be ready to donate, work, adopt and importantly – be aware that life around us matters as much as our own. Spread the word of compassion and coexistence, educate the ignorant and correct the arrogant as we all come together to rebuild Kerala – only this time, it should be a more compassionate Kerala.

The legend goes that when King Mahabali was being pushed into the underworld, he asked Lord Vishnu for one last boon. He asked that he be permitted to visit Kerala once every year so that he can ensure that his people are happy and prosperous. Lord Vishnu granted his wish. Commemorative of this resurgence of the king, Keralites celebrate the day as Onam. This happens once a year.

Now, it is the time for millions of lovely lives to bounce back in the state – to bring in joy and prosperity.  When the water stops flowing, so should blood. 

• +91-9167466569 is the call centre in Mumbai to help animals in Kerala
• Basant Memorial Animal Dispensary
• Cloud 9 Kennel & Nursing Care
• ResQ Charitable Trust
• Humane Animal Society 
• Blue Cross India, Chennai (@BlueCross_): Call +9144-22300666, +9144-22300655. Donate funds here 
• CUPA, Bengaluru (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action): Donate here
• Humane Society International (@HSIGlobal): Donate funds here

All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the author and do not have any bearing on the thoughts, opinions and ideals of Vegan First.

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