NMPT fire dept personnel rescue wild bull

Press Release, Jun 15, 2020, 2:46 PM IST

Mangaluru: The Fire Department personnel of the New Mangalore Port Trust rescued a wild bull which was suffering from suffocation caused by the tight neck rope.

“The rope around the neck of the wild bull was allegedly put by the illegal cattle smugglers, who transport the cattle to illegal slaughterhouses. The rope around the bull’s neck was earlier spotted in the end of February. Many compassionate citizens of Panambur and Surathkal along with the help of the Animal Care Trust, Mangaluru had been attempting to release the rope around its neck. They had used animal nets, rope lasso cutter, but had been unsuccessful in their attempts,” stated a press release from New Mangalore Port Trust.

The release further added, “On June 13 the bull entered the NMPT dock area, to drink water. The suffocation of the bull was visible and noticed by the Fire Department Personnel who tried to physically hold the bull to release the rope. The wild bull turned aggressive and was reluctant to let humans take control of its movements. The repeated attempts of the cattle trafficking by smugglers have left a scar on the psyche of these poor animals, who are naturally apprehensive of human contact. In fact, about a month ago one of the volunteers from the Animal Care Trust, Mangaluru broke his leg in an attempt to build contact with the bull. To tackle this issue, the Fire Department Personnel brought the bull to an enclosed gated area. It was debated whether tranquilization was necessary. It was recalled that in a similar incident about a year ago, a horned bull was suffering from a big tumour on its head. In an attempt to rescue the bull tranquilization was undertaken. However, tranquilization had an adverse impact on the respiratory system of the bull, which eventually failed and put an end it its life.”

“The post-mortem report suggested that approximately 50 kgs of plastic were found in the body of the bull, which probably triggered the respiratory failure. After considering these factors, it was decided that staff would attempt to release the rope without tranquilization. By feeding it food and water, they developed friendship and familiarity with the bull. After one full day of domestication, the bull calmed down and subsequently, let the fire department staff operate on its neck. In the night of June 14, the Fire Personnel were successfully able to remove the rope from its neck. It was noted that the tightness of the rope had caused a wound around the bull’s neck, which would require veterinary care and treatment NMPT management has arranged to undertake the same on Monday, June 15,” the release added.

Following the incident, the Chairman congratulated the staff involved in this great service.

The area near the New Mangalore Port Trust is home to herds of stray cattle. The stray cattle of Panambur area predate the inception of the port. The history of the land reveals that the ancestry of these cattle can be traced back to the coastal community that inhabited the land. Back then the cattle were domesticated and used as a means for existence. Later, when the Government of India commenced the operations for the Harbour Project of NMPT, the indigenous people were resettled. In the resettlement process, the people migrated to an alternative land, while many of the domesticated cattle were left abandoned.

The progeny of the abandoned cattle still freely roam the land. The once-flourishing fleet of 500 cattle has now shrunk to an estimated strength of 100. The cattle have been prey to smugglers and traffickers who intend to monetize from these creatures through their cruel acts. The Animal care Trust, Mangalore has stated that they have witnessed repeated cases of such barbaric acts. On multiple occasions, the volunteers of the trust along with the help of local people and dock labourers have rescued these animals from absolute suffering. It is high time that the local police take a serious view regarding the activities of cattle smugglers.