Over 400 cows rescued from Alberta floodwaters

Canadian farmers rescued hundreds of cattle Saturday after a month’s worth of rain fell in two days. More than 200 cattle that were stuck in a creek in northern Alberta were rescued from low…

Over 400 cows rescued from Alberta floodwaters

Canadian farmers rescued hundreds of cattle Saturday after a month’s worth of rain fell in two days.

More than 200 cattle that were stuck in a creek in northern Alberta were rescued from low water and high branches and managed to make it safely to the shore, said Jamie Swan, from the Fort McMurray Animal Protection Society, the Calgary Sun reported.

Over $125,000 was raised from donations to the farmers for what she calls a “super clean operation,” the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Officials warned this week that the high amount of rain could cause rivers and creeks to swell to record levels.

“This is actually a record-breaking flood event, in terms of magnitude and intensity,” Alberta Sustainable Resource Development spokesman Darren Topp told the Calgary Sun.

According to the Fort McMurray Animal Protection Society, some of the animals were trapped in sugar beets and 3-foot-high floodwaters and unable to get out.

“People have been trying to help these cattle for days now and it’s shocking to hear there were still 500 cattle in the Cairns Creek,” Swan told the Calgary Sun. “They’re in really bad shape. They haven’t eaten for a couple of days and the animals will likely die of hypothermia unless they’re able to be given medicine.”

The cows were delivered to a nearby ranch. Swan said he was concerned the calves would also drown.

A heavy hail storm recently also damaged about 70 percent of the crops in the area, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier said in a statement that the province plans to work with insurance companies to help farmers repair crops.

“It’s unclear what value that will add up to because we don’t have enough information yet,” Carlier said.

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