Fukushima officials started on Thursday to cull animals within the 20-km danger zone for public health reasons. The operations focused on the Minamisomas Odaka district, home to 887 cows, 80 horses, 6,200 pigs and 260,000 chickens as of October 2010.

The district was damaged badly by the tsunami triggered by the magnitude 9 earthquake on March 11. Officials said they will kill only the animals near death, but will still try to get the owners  permission, if possible.


WHAT YOU CAN DO
1)  WRITE A LETTER TO JAPAN OFFICIALS:
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The evacuation zone remains officially closed to rescue groups. Animals within the 20 kilometer radius are clearly suffering and their guardians are asking for help to save their beloved pets. The video below, which was released yesterday by Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support (JEARS), illustrates the critical need for large-scale rescue and aid for the animals left to perish in the evacuation zone. There is not a lot of time left.

Please raise your voice by being included in the letter to Japan%u2019s Prime Minister, asking him to allow the remaining animals in the exclusion zone to be rescued. Donations made through Global Animal Foundation will go to animal organizations involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of pets and farm animals in the radiation zone. So far, Global Animal readers have donated more than $27,000 to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support to help the nation%u2019s lost, injured, and abandoned animals.

The tears since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have been shared tears; every rescue  and there have been many  have been shared victories. More of each are sure to follow. It is a collective hope of animal lovers worldwide that the upcoming days and government decisions will usher in bold and compassionate animal aid on the mass scale thats urgently needed.

Starving dog being rescued within the 12-mile evacuation zone. (Source: JEARS video)