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Cattle Die of Thirst Surrounded by Water
8 Jan
Summary
- Cattle are perishing from dehydration despite being on islands surrounded by fresh water.
- Brahman and Droughtmaster cattle fear mud and water, refusing to drink or leave dry land.
- Graziers face severe mental stress and financial losses due to the ongoing disaster.
In north-west Queensland, a perplexing crisis unfolds as tens of thousands of cattle are dying of thirst and hunger despite being stranded on islands surrounded by fresh rainwater. Graziers describe the "absurd" situation where livestock refuse to drink or wade through shallow waters, opting instead to starve.
The cattle, primarily Brahman and Droughtmaster breeds, exhibit extreme fear of the mud and water, a phenomenon graziers report witnessing previously in 2019. This behavior leads to widespread losses, with estimates of up to 100,000 dead cattle. Graziers are also under immense mental stress, struggling with the devastation and the difficult task of saving remaining livestock.
As recovery efforts begin, the threat of further flooding looms. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a tropical low that could develop into a cyclone, potentially bringing more heavy rain to already saturated catchments. Graziers fear a disaster comparable to, or worse than, the 2019 floods which inundated millions of hectares.
