Report 25 February 2005
ProFauna Fed and Treated 500 Tsunami Animal Victims in Aceh

From 4 to 15 February 2005 ProFauna’s team, led by Drh. Luki Kusuma Wardhani, went on a mission to save the tsunami animal victims in Aceh. The mission involves the following:

• Evacuation of wildlife trapped in the badly damaged Wulandari Zoo
• Feeding domestic animals such as cows, dogs and cats
• Providing medical treatment to the above animals

This mission can only be materialized due to the supports from various Indonesian and International organizations as listed in the following report:

A.      Wildlife Evacuation from Wulandari mini zoo:

Wulandari zoo is a privately owned mini zoo. Prior to the tsunami it kept some highly endangered wildlife such as orang-utan, tiger, siamang and elephant. These wild animals were subsequently confiscated by the Conservation and Natural Resources Department (BKSDA) of the Forestry Department. Sadly, the confiscated wild animals were killed during the tsunami attack.  Nine remaining animals in Wulandari zoo survived the tragedy, these are:  1 stork, 2 pythons, 4 tortoises, 1 monkey.

ProFauna persuaded the owner of Wulandari zoo to hand over the above wildlife as they were in very poor health and received no treatment or care.  On 7^th February these wild animals were successfully evacuated with the assistance from the staff from BKSDA and Econa Aceh (a local organization).  The wildlife are temporarily sheltered and looked after by the Veterinary Science Faculty of Syah Kuala Aceh University, who are very supportive in helping ProFauna’s mission in Aceh.

On 13^th February 2005 the wild animals were transported by road to Medan, where they are temporarily looked after by the Sumatera Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP). A couple of staff from BKSDA Aceh accompanied this translocation journey.

During the care at SOCP it is noticeable that the condition of these animals has greatly improved. They are much more active and are feeding better. The pythons’ skin is more shinny, the monkey is active and the tortoises enjoy the swim.  They seem to be much healthier compared to when they were first found trapped in their cages in the ruined Wulandari zoo. 

With the permission from BKSDA staff, the fully recovered monitor was released into the forest around the SOCP area, after a clean bill of health from SOCP and ProFauna.

B.      Veterinary Treatment and Feeding of Domestic Animals:

The condition of the other domestic animal survivors in Aceh post Tsunami is truly dire.  They are roaming and scavenging in the ruins and debris.  Most of their owners were killed or are missing. The owners who survived are unable to care for their animals.  Most of these animals are found in the state of hunger, thirsty and are weak. 

                                         ProFauna's team was feeding the cattle

Locations where many of such domestic cattle can be found are; along the main road of Tengku Umar, the area of Darussalam, along the road to Lok Ngah, the coast of Ulele and several areas near the campus of the University of Syah Kuala Aceh. 

Cats and dogs are found scavenging in Aceh fish market, around the tsunami victim’s camps and in the ruined recreational park of Putra Phang.
 

Cats healing

ProFauna’s first action was to feed these animals. Our team went around the towns and the surrounding areas to feed cattles, cats and dogs. Food for cats and dogs are obtained through Yayasan Yudistira charity.

The total number of animals fed are:

• 150 cats

• 150 dogs

•  200 cows

Anti parasite medication was given especially for cows through their grass feed. Our team also saved a cat which was run over by car and suffered broken bones. After giving the medical treatment, the cat was given to be looked after by the Veterinary Science Faculty of Syah Kuala University, Aceh.

Anti parasite medication was given especially for cows through their grass feed

C.   Saving the sea turtle with Australian troops:

On 10 February 2005 ProFauna found a sea turtle trashed by the tsunami wave and trapped in a mud covered pond in Ajun village, Bandar Aceh. The pond is about 5 meters in depth.  Due to its depth ProFauna requested the assistance from the Australian soldiers who are on their humanitarian mission.

The Australian Soldier lent a water pump to pump out the mud and water. After 2.5 hours, the turtle was evacuated from the mud pond.  Having received a treatment, the turtle was transported to Ulele Beach, about 6 km from where the turtle was trapped, to be released.  The Australian and the Indonesian soldiers respect and are supportive of ProFauna’s mission in saving animals in Aceh.

ProFauna and Australia Army bring water pump	sea turtle releasing

OBSTACLES:

• Difficulty in finding food, grass or hay to feed the cows. To obtain fresh grass, one need to travel far away to the unaffected areas and the cost is expensive.
• The complex bureaucracy and red tapes within the Department of Livestock Aceh which causes delay in the treatment program for all domestic animals
• The difficulty in getting transportation in Aceh and the flood.

ENDING OF THE CURRENT MISSION:

Our original intention was to travel to Aceh by road, using our ‘Freedom Fighter’ bus, but this was not materialized due to the continuous rain and the flooding of the roads all the way to Aceh. However, ProFauna will return to Aceh with our Freedom Fighter bus with a lot more equipment when road journey is possible. Our current plans are: 

a.   To coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, Jakarta, to plan an effective strategic health treatment program for all domestic cattle in Aceh which must include the full support of the local authority of Aceh.

b.     To team up with Veterinary Science Faculty of Syah Kuala University to round up all loose domestic cattle into one location. This would enable control, health check and feeding.

c.     To transport the stork and the monkey, which are temporarily sheltered at SOCP, to Petungsewu wildlife rescue center (PPS) Malang.

PROFAUNA WISHES TO THANK:

1. The following organizations who have generously donated to support this program:

·         World Society for the Protection of Animal (WSPA)

·         Animal People

·         International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

·         Humane Society International

·         Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (RSPCA)

2. The following organizations who have assisted, supported and provided facilities, equipment and manpower:

·         Indonesian Zoo Watch (IZW)

·         Petungsewu Wildlife Rescue Centre (PPS) Malang

·         Sumatera Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP)

·         Veterinary Science Faculty, Syah Kuala University, Aceh

·         Econa Aceh

·         Yayasan Yudhistira

·         BKSDA Dept of Forestry Aceh and Medan

·         The Australian and Indonesian troops

3. All ProFauna members and volunteers in Aceh.

For further information, please contact:

 Drh. Luki Kusuma Wardhani
Cell phone: (0062) 08155509748
Email: izw@telkom.net