Specially designed copter should be used to rescue trapped animals

This letter is intended for the attention of the honourable Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture and for Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, Director General, Civil Defence Commission.

Mr. Minister, with the gross loss of cattle in the floods in Region 6 Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Guyana and other flood affected areas, as a representative of concerned Guyanese, one wonders why the Government has not thought of securing the specially designed helicopter that serves in rescue operations to airlift animals trapped in floods and mudslides. I understand there are animal straps that would hug the animal under its belly and airlift it to safety and taken to higher ground. The loss could have been avoided and the animals saved, had we had a rescue operation plan in place.

We hope that the specially designed rescue helicopter could be sourced and implemented to alleviate further loss of life and distress with the continued expected heavy rains to August 2021, and come next year 2022, there would be no recurrence of such massive loss in the cattle industry. Who is going to compensate these cattle farmers? I only hope that the Government would seriously look into this matter and adequately financially compensate the farmers for their loss. Alongside this compensation is the need for grief counselling to the affected owners and their workers.

How sad, I am sure the remaining herd is looking for the rest of its members wondering where have they disappeared?

I thank you for your urgent attention to this sad and distressful state of affairs in our nation.

Yours faithfully, Maria Rodrigues