…supplier to replace animals that died during transportation

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has maintained that the health, welfare and humane treatment of animals have remained the highest priority throughout the importation process of pregnant heifers from Brazil to Guyana, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Dwight Walrond reporting that the animals have arrived safely at the organisation’s Ebini Livestock Facility in the Berbice River. The GLDA issued the statement on Monday in response to social media claims about poor management of the animals during the transportation process. “At no stage have the animals been neglected, abandoned, or transported without continuous veterinary supervision,” the Authority posited.

It contended that contrary to claims circulated online, the cattle underwent a mandatory seven-day pre-export quarantine in Brazil, during which they were inspected, monitored, tested, and officially certified by the competent veterinary authorities as healthy and free from transboundary animal diseases. The GLDA further explained that upon arrival in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo) in Guyana, the animals were subjected to further veterinary inspection by the organisation before being cleared to continue their journey to its Ebini Livestock Facility, Berbice River. “Throughout the journey from Lethem to Ebini, the cattle have been transported in accordance with strict animal welfare protocols. Mandatory rest stops were conducted every four hours, during which the animals were provided with feed and clean drinking water supplemented with electrolytes,” the GLDA noted. The Authority outlined that during each stop, GLDA veterinarians and animal health personnel carried out routine welfare assessments to monitor the animals for any signs of stress, illness, injury, or fatigue. “Veterinary supervision and technical support have remained continuous throughout the operation,” the GLDA assured. In a video statement released on Monday evening from the Ebini research station, Dr Walrond provided an update on the animals’ arrival and condition. “I just wanted to let the general populace know that the animals have arrived safely on the station,” Dr Walrond said. He explained that the heifers were placed in a paddock with UF 717 forage, where they were allowed to begin adjusting to their new surroundings. “So these animals, they’re now like what any cattle would do. They’re just exploring, they’re surrounding for the time being,” he said.