HSUS Calls For Immediate Rescue Of Stranded Cows

by ANC Staff and HSUS

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is demanding that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officials intervene immediately to save 23 wild cows who have been suffering and dying from extreme stress, overcrowding, injury, dehydration and starvation on a barge on Alaskan waters for almost three weeks now.

"It is unconscionable that U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials would allow these animals to suffer this traumatic journey and confinement over the last two weeks," said Kelly Peterson, program coordinator for The HSUS Northwest Regional Office, on Thursday.

37 cows were shipped from Chirikof Island on November 19, arrived in Kodiak last Sunday, and were going to be sent to slaughter.

On Thursday it was discovered that the man who was transporting the cows had left the dock with the barge and cows on board. The barge is now docked at a private island near Kodiak, according to sources at the scene.

The cows were originally shipped under the direction of the FWS, which has a long-term plan to remove the more than 700 wild cows from Chirikof Island, a remote, 28,000-acre refuge where the cows have lived for more than 100 years.

"We understand the tough position the FWS has put itself in by engaging in this ill conceived plan, but officials should still have moved in immediately to transport these animals to safety once the barge arrived in Kodiak," Kelly Peterson said. "Instead, they have been allowing these cows to endure days of stress and starvation which have left many dead."

A source at the scene in Kodiak reported that the animals were so tightly packed on the barge that they had trouble lowering their heads or moving around at all. The situation prevented the cows from being fed properly and many were not able to eat or drink. A local vet found the cows to be dehydrated as well.

According to news reports and sources at the scene, five cows have already died on the barge due to exposure to the elements and starvation, and three cows broke their legs during the journey and had to be shot and killed.

The HSUS believes all of these conditions warrant an investigation for violations of Alaska’s animal cruelty statutes. On Wednesday December 3, a state trooper in Kodiak investigated the scene in Kodiak for possible animal cruelty conditions.

It is not known why the man in charge of handling the cows left Kodiak for Middle Bay.

The HSUS has offered to pay for feed and hay to be delivered to the cows and has identified rescue groups willing to provide sanctuary for the cows once they are off the barge.

The humane organization says it hopes the cows will be cared for until they regain their health and can be transported back to Chirikof Island.

The HSUS has also offered to talk with federal and state officials about an immunocontraception program for the Chirikof cows that may be a long-term solution that will benefit both the cows and the refuge.

"The Humane Society of the United States supports humane solutions to deal with the Chirikof dilemma, not plans that subject animals to unnecessary suffering as has happened with these 37 cows," said Nancy V. Perry, director of government affairs for The HSUS.

"We support continued negotiations between Governor Murkowski and federal officials to seek a long term solution for the cows on Chirikof Island," she said, "but in the meantime, we hope that officials will immediately intervene on behalf of the 23 who have endured enough already."

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.