Written by PETA
It's hard to imagine a more terrifying way to die than being trapped in a cage as flood waters rise around you. Yet that was the fate of Ryan and Esther, two bison at Pennsylvania's ZooAmerica who died when they were left to fend for themselves after torrential rains flooded the zoo. "The two bison that were in the enclosure, their heads were barely above water and they were panicking," describes a witness.
Even though local officials had issued warnings about the coming flood, Ryan and Esther were simply moved to "higher" ground. Esther drowned, and Ryan was shot to death when it became clear that rescue was impossible.
Please join PETA in asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a formal investigation into Ryan's and Esther's deaths.
Written by Jennifer O'Connor
Tropical Storm Ondoy caused severe flooding in many areas of metropolitan Manila last weekend. While PETA Asia-Pacfic's Manila office survived Ondoy intact and local staffers and their animal companions are safe, the storm caused massive damage.
As many of us remember from Hurricane Katrina, animals are often left in desperate situations after disasters, and PETA Asia-Pacific staffers, along with members of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), have been busy rescuing animals in distress.
PAWS—with which PETA Asia-Pacific works closely year-round on issues such as spaying and neutering and stopping the introduction of greyhound racing to the Philippines—has also opened its shelter as an evacuation center for companion animals affected by the storm.
Tropical Storm Ondoy provides a sobering reminder that we all need to plan ahead to ensure the safety of our animal companions during natural disasters. You can learn more about preparing your companions for storms and other disasters here.
Written by Jeff Mackey
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If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.