rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
Animal farmer Rolston De Coteau counted his losses yesterday to over $10,000 to the disastrous flood that struck the Carlsen Field, Chase Village area on Sunday following the passing of Tropical Storm Karen.
During a visit to the farm on Monday De Coteau said he lost 500 two-week old chickens, 50 ducklings and one dozen piglets.
He said the flood waters rose to over three feet of water in depth.
The flooding occurred after the Caparo River burst its banks on Sunday evening.
This was double whammy for De Coteau as two weeks ago thieves entered his farm and stole six adult pigs ready for slaughtering one of which was a boar for breeding purposes.
“Two weeks ago they stole my pigs which were ready for the market about over 100 pounds each ready for slaughter gone. They also stole a young bull valued $3,000. Now today I am facing more losses with the floods and I’m a new farmer now venturing into this business, “ De Coteau said.
“I was monitoring the flood waters via the CCTV system when I saw the water rising. I left Arima to come by the time I reach here it had over three feet of water and still rising. When I look for my chickens the pen was like a swimming pool. I saw some chirping and fighting to survive and most their carcasses floating going with the raging waters, “ he added.
The animal farmer said he remains with 24 baby chicks and one pregnant sow, “I had two pregnant mother pigs but during the floods one of them had a miscarriage because of the amount of stress they were under. The other pig who lost 12 her babies is also under stress and seems to be depressed.”
De Coteau described his experience as a shocking and nightmarish, “Things hard and I’m trying to start something new and successful and all it took was a tropical storm to wash my dreams and sacrificial investment away.”
De Coteau called on the relevant authorities to bank the river and bring it back to its course so it would not have a spill over to his property in the future should any similar event ever take place in the future.
De Coteau said he would welcome any sort of assistance to start back up his business, “Any thing would suffice now. A grant from the ministry or something would help me. I am left dumbfounded at my losses.”