YOGYAKARTA (KU) - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM established United Veterinary Medical Station to help the handling of animal health around Mt. Merapi. The station which is a collaboration of the Faculty, Prof. Soeparwi Animal Hospital, Indonesian Vets Association of Yogyakarta and ADHPHKI involves hundreds of vets who cooperate with Animal Husbandry Local Board of Sleman.
Chairman of the medical station, Prof. drh. Ida Tjahyati, Ph.D said that one of their activities is to deploy vet team to the site to provide free medical care and to help evacuate cattles.
I don't understand why news information is always so dramatic and always very emotional especially on Indonesian TV channels. I think that too much time is allocated to one event so they try to fill up the time allocated with irrelevant questions, news reporter are not well prepared too. I think that there questions are not studied and they sometimes improvise. They should watch BBC and CNN and take example. They invite professionals but do not ask them precise questions that will help viewers understand the situation.
Of course a Tsunami can't be avoided but a country can always prepare itself for the worst situations and everything is not fate and destiny. In every country TV channels want more viewers but in other countries they usually create news flash to be the first talking about an issue.
Besides, cattles from Cangkringan Sleman are short of green fodder and water. "Because the feed forage int the disaster are is contaminated with volcanic ash and this is very dangerous for the animal health," she added.
The veterinary team plan to work for 3 months ahead to help the Animal Husbandry Board of Sleman up to the time when livestock owners can return to their homes.
Met separately in Kepuh Harjo, Cangkringan district, Head of the Board, Ir. Suwandi Aziz, mentioned that there were about 2,000 cattles being handled by a team of veterinarians. Umbul Harjo, Kepuh Harjo and Glagaharjo villages become priority areas for the handling of animal health.
"Up to now there are 275 cows that died. There are other 12 cattles which have not been evacuated because the location is quite dangerous," Suwandi said. He added that owners whose cattles have been killed in the disaster will be receive compensation from the government in the form of cows. "We will give them compensation with the same type of cow," he said.
Drh. Kristianti who is on duty every day at Umbulharjo animal shelter said that some 30-50 per cent of the cattle she handled got burnt problems. "We give more anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depresant drugs," said the graduate of UGM in 1997.
The number of cows in the shelter is decreasing from 37 animals 23. "Some have been taken by the owners for sale," she said.
Martono (65), one of the breeders from Ngrangkah, Pelemsari Hamlet, Cangkringan, who was met in IDP barrack in Umbulharjo, claimed the loss of 2 cows when Merapi erupted. "In Pelemsari, there were 250 cattles, now there are only 23 cows," said the grandfather of 5 grandchildren. The father of 3 children does not expect much from cattle compensation. Because, what haunts his mind currently is his house that can not be inhabited again as it has been destroyed by Merapi hot clouds. "The compensation is another issue. Now, money is more necessary. There is a lot of food and clothing here. Now, I can't even afford to buy something for my grandson," said Martono rather pitifully.
Martono is one of hundreds of displaced persons who are forced to flee in order to avoid the eruption of Mt. Merapi. Up to now, Merapi has not decreased its activity. Therefore, Martono along with 13 members of his family must stay in the village office of Umbulharjo which had been changed into a shelter.