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| Mariana Bazo/Reuters |
A man carries his dog, Jedi, after rescuing
him from the debris of his home in Pisco. |
On Aug. 15, the Ica region of Peru, south of Lima, was shaken by an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale. The quake toppled houses and destroyed buildings, killing more than 500 people and injuring more than 1,000.
Humane Society International is sending emergency funding to Grupo Caridad, a Lima-based animal welfare organization, to assist in the recovery efforts.
Hundreds of animals—dogs, cats, sheep, cattle— have been abandoned and are in desperate need of help.
"How sad that these catastrophes happen in the cities where there is the most poverty and least development," said Fernando Moreno of Grupo Caridad. "In countries like mine, where the situation is as bad for the people as it is for the animals—it is now even worse."
Several powerful aftershocks made remaining structures dangerous. Most of the region's residents have abandoned their homes and are now living in tents with minimal or no supplies. Currently winter in Peru, temperatures are hovering in the 50s (F). A strong seasonal wind is keeping the air frigid.
As rescue efforts mobilize and aid begins to flow into the country, the impact beyond the human cost of this disaster are realized. Pets, livestock and wildlife have also suffered.
"I have to assume that many animals have been abandoned or left homeless. Others have been left to die and many have already died," said Moreno. "We will assist in any way we can."
Animals in Zoos Need Assistance
Captive animals in local zoos are also feeling the effects of the earthquake. HSI received reports of animals languishing in their enclosures without any at two zoos in Ica, Peru that have survived the quake. Many of the zoo caretakers lost their homes and family members and have been unable to respond to the needs of the animals.
HSI is supporting an expert team from the Wildlife Center of Virginia to assess the zoos and recruit local veterinarians and volunteers to assist in the temporary feeding, cleaning and overall care of the animals. The HSI team will partner with local Peruvian organizations like Amigos de los Animales, an HSI Animal Advocate, in visiting and assessing these zoos.
Other Peruvian animal protection groups, including Unidos Por Los Animales and the Asociacion Peruana de Proteccion a los Animales, also have disaster teams in the affected areas.
