Pig Rescue Operation Yielding Success in Midwest

Amid myriad challenges, hard work is beginning to pay off for animal rescue teams that have spent the past three days on water and land operations in the Iowa floodwaters. As of now, 15 pigs which were stranded on and around the “Big Ditch” levee in Oakville have been rescued and are today being transported to their new home at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW – www.ifaw.org), American Humane Association (www.americanhumane.org), Farm Sanctuary (www.farmsanctuary.org) and Animal Rescue League of Boston (www.arlboston.org) all have experienced personnel on the ground and are working tirelessly to aid the pigs.

Of the 15 rescued, five were brought in yesterday, and for those that witnessed the rescue and transport back to the staging barn, it was encouraging. “These pigs are survivors, and to have endured all that they have in this disaster zone over the past weeks is a testament to their will to live,” said Julie Janovsky, Director of Campaigns for Farm Sanctuary, on the ground in Iowa.

All pigs were severely dehydrated, hungry, exhausted, and sunburned so badly that their skin was literally charred black. One of the pigs, found lodged between two trees, is battling pneumonia, and another has an injured leg and will need x-rays.

An Iowa state veterinarian, Dr. Bryce Kibbel of Des Moines County, has been on the levee with responders to assess the health of the pigs. While there have been a couple of animals found that were beyond help and needed to be humanely put down, the majority of survivors have been in decent shape, considering all they have been through.

“In these long days in the field, what we have gained is first-hand knowledge that there are indeed still several pigs alive on that levee. Their fate is in our hands, and we are determined to save as many as we possibly can,” said Dick Green, Disaster Relief Manager for IFAW.

The teams landed in Illinois more than one week ago to help with animal flood victims but were later called on by the State of Iowa to assist with the stranded hogs. A team of approximately 25 is active here now, and a small core team remains in Illinois.

Animal rescue groups have faced many obstacles in recent days to save the pigs. The floodwaters have receded several feet and this has presented enormous challenges for getting the boats into the water and reaching the levee. Land operations have been proving more efficient.

These operations are likely to continue over the next several days. Once off the levee, the State has relinquished full custody of the animals to Farm Sanctuary, which ensures that they will live out their full lives in peace, cared for by staff and supporters of the sanctuary.

Source: IFAW

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