Animal deaths reported due to dry spell

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—The dry spell has exacted its toll on farm animals in parts of southern Mindanao in the last two weeks, with at least seven hogs and head of cattle dying due to extreme heat here, a report from the city veterinary office said on Thursday.

Dr. Eugene Gornez, city veterinarian, said the animals could have died of heatstroke, as temperature soared to an average of 31 degrees Celsius. Highest temperature readings in the summer months (February to May) in Kidapawan range from 25 to 27.5 degrees, according to the city government website.

Gornez said his office had received reports that more farm animals died or were weakened by the extreme heat. “We consider this alarming because the number is rising,” he said, though he did not provide details.

A way to save the animals is to bathe them, especially during the hotter hours of the day, he said. Animals should also be given a regular supply of drinking water to keep them hydrated.

Gornez discouraged owners from pasturing their farm animals in open fields. “If possible, look for a place where animals [are comfortable], like shades of trees. Avoid severe heat, especially at noon,” he said.

Former North Cotabato board member Rey Pagal, an animal science graduate, said farm animals in the province also died during the dry spell in 1982 and 1998 due to the extreme heat and various diseases it triggered.

Zaldy Alqueza, assistant manager of the Metro Kidapawan Water District, said the dry spell had threatened the city’s main source of water.

Alqueza said at least 300 households would soon experience a drop in water supply because volume in springs had been reduced by about 25 percent.

He said it has not been raining for about a month now.

Government records showed that the annual rainfall volume in Kidapawan is 7.07 inches. This drops to an average of 2.71 inches in summer and rises to 12.09 inches in July. Williamor Magbanua and Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao