Animals in Disasters

Animals in disasters experience the same terrible effects of disasters that people do, like hunger and thirst, pain, injury and disease. Animals also suffer from displacement, as they are forced to flee their homes to seek safety. Disasters can also leave them stranded in unfamiliar surroundings, leading to distress and death. Finally, animals often become victims of human cruelty after disasters cause humans to lose control.

A disaster can be defined as a catastrophic event that exceeds a community’s capacity to respond without external assistance, for example, prevailing droughts. The events can affect humans and animals in large numbers and often lack the ability and resources they need to adjust to the outcome of the disaster. Natural disasters harm humans and animals. Furthermore, unusual natural events caused by human activities can be catastrophic to animals living in the wild.

Animals living in the wild are typically vulnerable to disasters. Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and forest fires can have devastating repercussions; many animals die, drown or are buried in the dirt, ash, lava, or snow; pinned by collapsed or burnt burrows; smashed against trees and rocks, or pelted by hailstones.

Factors that influence the survival of animals in a natural disaster

The species’ specific adaptations, the stage of life the species is in, whether or not it is breeding season, and whether the species is in migratory or has other means of escape. The particular habitat the species lives in. Other factors the species might be coping with are her physical condition or the ability to take care of themselves. Animals with acute vision, hearing, or other senses are more likely to escape, as birds fly away and larger animals can sprint. Small animals have difficulty abiding in water, which can make them drown or wear away through the cold after being struck by flooding or heavy rains.

Animals may move to safer places or they will have to be swept away by strong winds or rushing floodwaters, creating zones devoid of their natural habitat. When displaced animals are crowded together in a small area, they risk significant outbreaks of diseases and parasite infestations. A lack of appropriate nourishment and lack of appropriate materials are also major risks for animals when habitats become disrupted due to natural disasters. The animals might also be affected by exposure to extreme sun, cold, or wind if they do not have good shelters.

When Natural Disaster Strikes, Wildlife Suffer.

In September of 2019, The Amazon rainforest and Australia made headlines; massive fires in these regions have incinerated not only more than 26.4 million acres of land but also more than a billion non-human animals were affected. According to Chris Dickman, a University of New South Wales Ecologist, he conservatively estimated that 1.25 billion animals have died in the raging fires. According to the Australian government’s Department of the Environment and Energy, Australia is a “megadiverse” country. It occupies less than ten per cent of Earth’s surface but is home to more than 70 per cent of the planet’s biological diversity.

Global warming increases the risk of drought and heavy storms. Some effects of human-caused climate change, such as rising sea levels and melting ice caps, affect animals gradually, while natural disasters wreak immediate, long-lasting havoc.

Humans as a species should make systematic changes to slow down the pace of global warming. Natural disasters will continue to affect humans severely and wildlife populations as long as humans consume, pollute, and release high volumes of greenhouse gases and toxins into the atmosphere. Industrial agriculture also kills an animal and is a significant driver of humans’ impact on the planet. Humans are empowered to improve wildlife welfare and survival rates during and after natural disasters.

How do natural disasters and weather changes affect wildlife?

What are some adaptations animals have?

Some animals have fur that helps protect them from the cold, and some have other features such as their feathers or skins that protect them and help them survive nature’s elements such as heavy rain or snow. Even if they can adapt to nature, they still may not want to be exposed to the harsh weather. During natural disasters, wildlife will want to find shelter to ensure their safety and well-being. Though there are many places where animals can make a temporary shelter, sometimes they might choose your home as a refuge during a storm or cold weather. Be a good host.

When are animal adaptations not enough?

Animals are designed to adapt to their changes, and sometimes they will not tolerate the difference because of their physiology. Some natural disasters and changes in the weather also result in climate change. Land and ocean temperatures are rising globally, and sea levels are changing, places where animals call home. In recent years, there has been a change in the frequency of events and the severity of the weather, including more rain and flooding, droughts, hurricanes, heat waves, and wildfires.

Homes of animals can be devastated beyond repair, and some animals may perish due to a lack of food or safe habitat. Another way weather can affect wildlife is through their food and ability to find food. Weather can affect food supply by limiting it or even wiping out some food sources, making it difficult for them to survive. If the animal’s food source is diminished or destroyed, the animal will be forced to move to an alternate habitat that is safe and also offers food.

Migration and Hibernation

Some animals, such as birds, migrate to warmer locations as the temperatures drop, and some hibernate during cold seasons. Migratory birds follow patterns and fly together to new habitats. Hibernation is another way animals adapt to changes in weather. Some animals such as chipmunks, groundhogs, garter snakes and bats hibernate. They gather food and find a warm and safe place to build nests and live for a season. The animal enters into a deep sleep during the hibernation period that they will not quickly awaken from. Their breathing will slow down, and their temperature drops. Some animals lay dormant during hibernation. Dormancy is a type of hibernation, and the animals will not move, but they will not slow their breathing or lower their body temperature. It is essentially a season of rest.

Disaster risk reduction  

We can prepare and reduce the impact of disasters on animals. Governments, international bodies, and local and national partners should include animals in their plans, policies and practice.

The loss of animal lives in disasters has a devastating impact on the people that rely on them for companionship and economic status. More than 1 billion of the world’s vulnerable communities depend on animals for food, transport, and livelihood.

Disasters threaten people and animals. Combatting the progression of climate change and creating emergency preparedness plans for animals are necessary steps to ensure animals’ welfare. Humans may be an “important” species on this planet, but our obligation to maximize survival rates during natural disasters extends to many more species.

Protecting animals helps people rebuild their lives after a disaster. And yet, animals are rarely included in national disaster plans.

Governments must take urgent steps to protect people and animals by including animals in their disaster plans.

In conclusion, animals are the forgotten victims of disasters. They experience the same terrible effects of disasters that people do, like injury, starvation, thirst and death. Animals also suffer from habitat loss. Please consider this when donating to a disaster relief fund. Donate to https://ecoclubsofkenya.co.ke/donate/ to protect animals and the victims of disasters.