Sinlaku wipes out up to 60% of Saipan livestock, officials say

Super Typhoon Sinlaku wiped out an estimated 50% to 60% of Saipan's livestock population, dealing a severe blow to the island's farmers and ranchers, according to CNMI Division of Agriculture director Charles Aiseam.

Speaking during an interview last June 6 after the Meet & Greet with USDA APHIS event at the Garapan Public Market, Aiseam said preliminary assessments conducted by the Division of Agriculture indicate that livestock losses across Saipan were substantial, with many animals either found dead or still unaccounted for in the storm's aftermath.

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

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

Among the hardest-hit livestock were cattle, poultry, swine and goats. According to figures compiled by the Division of Agriculture, Saipan's cattle population dropped from 675 before the typhoon to 280 afterward. Chicken numbers fell from 7,148 to 4,554, while swine declined from 1,143 to 515. Goat populations also suffered major losses, dropping from 653 to about 300.

Aiseam said three primary factors contributed to the losses—lack of water, extreme heat stress and damage to animal enclosures and other farm infrastructure.

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

The prolonged loss of tree cover and shelter left many animals exposed to the elements. Some animals that survived the storm later developed health problems associated with heat stress and poor conditions, he said.

Dr. Shana Tannenbaum, a veterinary medical officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said the situation has been difficult both for livestock and their owners.

"It really breaks my heart," Tannenbaum 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."

Tannenbaum noted that prolonged power and water outages, extreme heat and the stress of post-typhoon recovery likely contributed to the mortality rate. She added that the CNMI's lack of a resident veterinarian may have further complicated recovery efforts for animals already dealing with underlying health issues.

Aiseam said farmers also struggled to dispose of animal carcasses after the storm because many roads were blocked and transportation was limited. In some cases, Division of Agriculture personnel assisted farmers in hauling dead animals to the Marpi landfill for disposal.

Comparing Sinlaku with previous storms, Aiseam said farmers reported losses were worse than those experienced during Super Typhoon Yutu.

"Yeah, I think this time is more," he said.

Looking ahead, officials believe the cattle industry may recover more quickly than other sectors because grazing lands are beginning to regenerate following recent rains. Swine and poultry producers, however, continue to face challenges obtaining sufficient feed and maintaining balanced diets for their animals.

Aiseam encouraged livestock producers experiencing problems to contact the Division of Agriculture, which can connect them with off-island veterinary and livestock experts assisting with the CNMI's recovery efforts.