ĐẮK LẮK — Many cows and buffaloes in the central highlands province of Đắk Lắk have died from eating indigestible food after a serious shortage of drinking water and food caused by a heat wave, local agricultural authorities said.

Statistics from the Ea Súp District Agriculture and Rural Development Department showed that more than 140 cows, three buffaloes and two goats have died in Ia Rvê and Ia Lốp communes within the past two months.

Trần Quang Trịnh, deputy head of the Ea Súp District’s Agricultural Department said that the department sent an inspection team to the two communes to investigate the mass livestock deaths.

The team found many undigested items such as pieces of sack, nylon, tire and cloth in the animals stomachs.

Trịnh said the prolonged hot weather and a shortage of food caused the animals to eat those items. Most suffered from malnutrition, he added.

Phạm Bảo, a farmer in Ia Rvê Commune, said 32 out of his 150 cows died as they had nothing to eat and drink.

Bảo said he had to sell the dead cows for VNĐ1.5 million ($67.5) each. The average price of a cow is between VNĐ7-12 million ($315-540).

He said he had to spend VNĐ2 million ($90) to buy straw to feed the rest of the cows, but it was insufficient and the cows had become weaker.

Cao Minh Lự, chairman of the communal People’s Committee said that the committee reported the situation to provincial authorities to ask for financial support for the farmers.

The district’s People’s Committee said the department asked provincial authorities for financial aid to dig 20 wells in Ia Lốp, Ia Rvê and Ia Jlơi communes.

The department also encouraged local farmers to buy more food for cattle such as straw and powder, and feed them with water to help them survive hot days. — VNS