Cattle that wander and sleep on roads to get luminous collars

Some herds are in danger on Sai Sha and Tai Mong Tsai Roads, cowgirls say

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Cowgirls Carol Biddell and Karina O’Carroll are getting on with it after luminous collar pilot project wins popular support

Luminous collars will be fitted on cattle who make a habit of wandering, even sleeping, on
Sai Sha and Tai Mong Tsai Roads, Carol Biddell of Sai Kung Buffalo Watch said.

Getting wild cattle to stand still while a collar is fastened around their necks is not easy. The cowgirls plan to work with AFCD, attaching the collars when the animals are sedated, Carol said. The collars are fixed with velcro so if an animal gets caught, the collar will pull open.

“We did a trial last year on the Sai Kung town cattle and got a very good response from the public,” she said. The original collars were made by Kathy Daxon who runs the Tai O cattle group on Lantau. Reflective material has been ordered from China by SKBW and the programme has been financed by a donor.

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Each collar is fitted with velcro so if a cow gets caught on something it will pull open

Carol said SKBW estimates there are about 800 cattle in Sai Kung area. They will not attempt to put collars on cattle who are relatively safe in the country parks. 

SKBW is in the process of registering as a society, but not as a charity “as this becomes too complicated for what we need.”  Carol said they are not currently in need of money because support is so quick to come from the community — “everybody loves our cows”.  School projects have donated into an account at Pet Central where the cowgirls get fly strike powder, antiseptic sprays and other medicines to help prevent small wounds becoming serious.  SKBW consults with AFCD vets on the best treatments.

“What we do want is physical help,” Carol said. “We need people to report injured cattle and to help us keep track of where the animals are, by giving us ear tag numbers, especially if you see them when hiking in remote areas.”

SK Buffalo Watch’s 24-hour hotline is 9781 4703, email skbuffalowatch@gmail.com and you’ll find them on Facebook.

 

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