Cows on Snapper Island found thriving after March flood
Two Brahman cattle discovered on a tropical national park island months after being swept out to sea during a flood.
A visitor spotted two Brahman cows on Snapper Island, about 3 kilometres off the Daintree coast, during a family trip last Friday. The visitor believes they were swept there when the Daintree River flooded in March, taking boats, a pontoon and a car ferry with it.
The island sits within Hope Islands National Park and is popular for camping and fishing. The cows appear healthy despite seven months alone.
The visitor saw ear tags on them but no brand marks. She left water and molasses to help them survive.
Queensland's environment department is trying to find their owners, though extracting them from the island's remote forests will be challenging.
- 3 kilometres
- Distance from coast
- 66 hectares
- Island size
- 7 months
- Months isolated
- Jayne Miller, Wonga Beach
- Resident who found them
Why it mattersIt's a remarkable survival story showing how animals can adapt to isolation and harsh conditions, giving hope to the wider community affected by the March flood.
AustraliaFar North Queensland residents who lost cattle in the March flood have a rare chance to learn what happened to their animals.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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