Cow rescued from canal in Tarlac after animal rights group raises alarm

An animal rights group called for an immediate rescue after a cow in Tarlac City fell into a canal and became trapped, prompting local disaster response personnel to step in and bring the animal to safety.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) shared in a Facebook post that the cow had been crying while trapped in the canal, with no rescue team yet arriving at the time of the report.

AKF Program Director Atty. Heidi Marquez-Caguioa said rescuing large farm animals can be challenging because of the specialized equipment and resources needed to lift them safely.

“We do not have the resources and equipment needed to rescue animals of this size. In situations like this, an immediate rescue is necessary because of several concerns. First, the animal may have sustained injuries, including possible broken bones,” Marquez-Caguiao said in Filipino.

“Second, it may experience stress or trauma while trapped inside the canal. Third, it may suffer from hunger and thirst,” she added.

Marquez-Caguioa immediately coordinated with the Tarlac Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), which promptly responded to the incident.

“When we arrived, the cow was already weak. However, when we tried to tie it up and lift it, it got startled and started kicking. But since it was already weak, it did not resist for long. We were able to secure the trapped cow and hoist it,” Tarlac PDRRMO Head Marvin Guiang said in Filipino.

“Using our boom crane, we were able to lift the cow and bring it to a safe location. It only sustained a minor abrasion on its hindquarters. As far as I know, the cow is now with its owner.”

Cows, scientifically known as Bos taurus, are highly social and sensitive animals that communicate through more than 300 distinct sounds and bond by licking one another.

They also have a wide field of vision of about 300 degrees, compared with humans’ approximately 180 degrees, and a strong sense of hearing. Because of their sensitivity to loud noises, they can become stressed or startled by sudden sounds.

According to AKF, these factors may help explain why the cow it rescued fell into a canal in Tarlac City, although the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

“It's possible that the cow was roaming and accidentally slipped into the canal, or it may have been startled by passing vehicles. We do not know what actually happened,” she said.

Following the incident, AKF reminded farmers not to allow their livestock to roam unattended, particularly along roadsides and highways.

“Farmers should not allow their livestock to roam unattended, especially along roadsides, as this can be extremely dangerous on highways. It poses risks not only to the animals but also to motorists and other road users. We also urge anyone who witnesses similar incidents to report them to the proper authorities,” she said.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News