Super Typhoon Sinlaku wipes out up to 60 percent of Saipan livestock

7:23 am today

Super Typhoon Sinlaku has wiped out up to 60 percent of livestock on Saipan.

Photo: Supplied / Mark Rabago

Super Typhoon Sinlaku has wiped out up to 60 percent of the livestock on Saipan, dealing another blow to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' (CNMI) post-storm recovery.

Sinlaku hit the US territory on 14 April with Category 5 intensity and battered the islands for up to 72 hours, causing widespread devastation to local infrastructure and the economy.

CNMI Division of Agriculture director Charles Aiseam said preliminary assessments show major losses among cattle, poultry, swine and goats.

He said Saipan's cattle population fell from 675 before the typhoon to 280 after the storm, while chicken numbers dropped from 7148 to 4554. Swine declined from 1143 to 515, and goats from 653 to about 300.

"So from what we have so far, we're looking at, for livestock, we're looking at probably 50-60% loss of livestock," Aiseam said.

The assessment only covers Saipan so far, with surveys of Tinian and Rota expected later this month or next.

Aiseam said a lack of water, extreme heat stress, and damaged animal enclosures were among the main causes of livestock deaths.

"It was really hot," he said. "There were no more shade and most of their infrastructure was damaged."

USDA APHIS veterinary medical officer Dr Shana Tannenbaum said the losses were difficult for both the animals and their owners.

"It really breaks my heart," she said. "For the animals, but also for people themselves. I know how much these animals mean to them and how much people rely on these animals."

Officials said farmers also faced challenges disposing of animal carcasses after the storm because of blocked roads and limited transportation.

Aiseam said some farmers reported that livestock losses from Sinlaku were worse than those during Super Typhoon Yutu.

He said cattle may recover faster because grazing areas are beginning to regenerate after recent rains, but swine and poultry farmers continue to struggle with feed supplies and balanced diets for surviving animals.

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