Collaring Cows to Save Lives on Roads
CHINA – Over 1,000 feral cows in southern China are now wearing reflective collars after a series of traffic accidents.Road roaming cattle on Lantau Island and Sai Kung are being fitted with the ‘same material found on workmen’, in a bid to save lives.
This is according to Kath Daxon chairperson of the Tai O Community Cattle Group which has stepped in after a ‘lack of concern’ from authorities, reports South China Morning Post.
Animal welfare campaigners say speeding motorists are to blame for most of the wild cattle deaths.
Lobbyists are requesting speed cameras, rumble strips and greater police presence in key areas.
So far in 2014, 17 cattle deaths have been recorded on Lantau’s roads. Eight cows were killed in a hit and run incident near Tong Fuk in June 2013.
"We are happy to see that the community is taking initiatives towards the welfare and safety of stray cattle," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.
Predicting the effect of the collars, Mrs Daxon said: "Will it stop drivers that don't give a damn? Probably not. But others will slow down, as they see the collars and see that people care about them."
TheCattleSite News Desk