49 Cattle Die from Hypothermia in South Central Timor

A total of 49 cattle in Tunua Village, Mollo Utara District, South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, have been reported dead due to hypothermia. “Yes, according to data from our field team, there are 49 head. Another 10 are still missing because it was raining when we went down to Tunua Village,” said Marthen Johanis Banunaek, Acting Head of the South Central Timor Livestock and Animal Health Service, on Thursday (30/7/2026).

Marthen explained that the incident was discovered based on reports from field investigations and interviews with the local community. Six of the dead animals were two-year-old bulls belonging to the Mitra Tani Mandiri Foundation. The remaining cattle, owned by various residents in smaller numbers, exhibited the same symptoms.

According to Marthen, the owners reported that the cause of death was hypothermia due to prolonged rain between 24 and 27 July 2026. “The cattle died with symptoms of shivering and sudden collapse because of the rain over three consecutive days,” Marthen stated. He added that the animals had last been vaccinated against Septicemia Epizootica (SE) in November and December 2025. The Livestock and Animal Health Service of South Central Timor is currently conducting field surveys and data collection regarding the incident.