Current:Home > InvestSerbian authorities help evacuate cows and horses stuck on a river island in cold weather-InfoLens
Serbian authorities help evacuate cows and horses stuck on a river island in cold weather
View Date:2024-12-23 17:49:39
GARDINOVCI, Serbia (AP) — Serbian authorities on Tuesday started evacuating nearly 200 animals that have been stranded on a river island for weeks and were facing hunger and cold as temperatures dropped across the country.
The cows, calves and horses got stuck on the Krcedinska Ada island in the middle of the Danube river after water levels rose sharply last month, blocking their way back to the shore.
The Danube is Europe’s biggest river, flowing through a number of countries, including Serbia. Krcedinska Ada island is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the capital, Belgrade.
The weather was unseasonably warm in Serbia for weeks late last year, and the Danube had swollen due to the melting of snow upstream. This week, warm weather gave way to a spate of snowy and freezing weather that swept the Balkan region.
Local farmers in the vicinity of Krcedinska Ada said they were caught by surprise by the rising Danube during the warm and dry period. With the weather conditions worsening, the animals are in danger, said Milenko Plavsic, who owns some of the cattle.
“The cattle are in jeopardy. Some died,” he said. Normally, he added, the animals would walk back on their own through shallow waters and return home, some 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.
“The cattle are hungry, water levels are huge so they had nothing to eat.”
Local authorities brought over a fenced river raft so the animals would be safe during transport. It will take several trips to bring back all the animals.
The Serbian government’s Ministry of Agriculture has said that a total of 97 cows, 40 calves and 70 horses were stranded on Krcedinska Ada. The distance from the shore is up to 3 kilometers (2 miles). Most of the animals are privately owned, officials said.
Locals were relieved and grateful for the help: “Finally some good news!” said Zoran Kunic, who heads a cattle-breeders association in the area.
veryGood! (8282)
Related
- What does the top five look like and other questions facing the College Football Playoff committee
- Refugee children’s education in Rwanda under threat because of reduced UN funding
- A brother's promise: Why one Miami Hurricanes fan has worn full uniform to games for 14 years
- Case dropped against North Dakota mother in baby’s death
- When does Spirit Christmas open? What to know about Spirit Halloween’s new holiday venture
- The leaders of Ukraine and Russia assess their resources as their war heads into winter
- Tennessee Supreme Court delivers partial win for Airbnb in legal disputes with HOAs
- California Sen. Laphonza Butler, who replaced Dianne Feinstein, won't seek a full term in 2024
- US Congress hopes to 'pull back the curtain' on UFOs in latest hearing: How to watch
- 'Killers of the Flower Moon' depicts an American tragedy, Scorsese-style
Ranking
- 'Gladiator 2' review: Yes, we are entertained again by outrageous sequel
- Man previously dubbed California’s “Hills Bandit” to serve life in a Nevada prison for other crimes
- Juveniles charged with dousing acid on playground slides that injured 4 children
- Maren Morris Shares Message on Facing What's Necessary Amid Ryan Hurd Divorce
- Colts' Kenny Moore II ridicules team's effort in loss to Bills
- What's hot for Halloween, in Britney's book and on spicy food? Tell the NPR news quiz
- 'Flower Moon' author recounts the conspiracy to murder the Osage people
- Starbucks, union file dueling lawsuits over pro-Palestine social media post
Recommendation
-
Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira set to be sentenced, could get up to 17 years in prison
-
California Sen. Laphonza Butler, who replaced Dianne Feinstein, won't seek a full term in 2024
-
Woman’s dog accidentally eats meth while on walk, she issues warning to other pet owners
-
Spain’s royals honor Asturias prize winners, including Meryl Streep and Haruki Murakami
-
FBI raids New York City apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, reports say
-
Bachelor Nation’s Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs Get Married One Month After Welcoming Baby Boy
-
Jaguars vs. Saints Thursday Night Football highlights: Jacksonville hangs on at Superdome
-
Americans don't trust social media companies. Republicans really don't, new report says.