In Gornji Maovici near Vrlika, farmers are in panic as their cows are dying daily. In just about twenty days since the first reported case of mysterious cattle deaths, owners have counted around fifty dead animals. Nikola Turudić, one of about ten affected farmers, lost eleven cows in the last ten days, and the twelfth was found dead early this morning. On one day alone, five cows died. Everyone is confused — is it poisoning or an infectious disease? Veterinary services reacted immediately, took samples, and sent them for analysis, but so far no infectious disease has been confirmed. Poisoning cannot be ruled out but falls under the jurisdiction of other services. Agroproteinka regularly removes carcasses, while veterinarians and hunters remain silent. Farmers fear they will be left without livestock and demand urgent state action, including declaring an epidemic if infection is involved. Veterinary services continue monitoring and promise all necessary measures to protect animal and human health.
This situation is alarming as a large number of animal deaths in a short period directly threatens the livelihood of farmers in this area. While authorities remain cautious, farmers are left on their own, watching their cattle die without clear answers about the cause. This silence and indecision only deepen fear and uncertainty in rural communities.
If you thought this was just a local problem, think again. Similar situations with infectious diseases and mass animal deaths are happening in neighboring countries, such as the outbreak of African swine fever in Croatia and Serbia, where culling and strict control measures are being implemented. Although these involve different types of livestock, it is clear that agriculture in the region is under great pressure from unknown threats that could destroy domestic production and jeopardize food security.
While we wait for answers and solutions, farmers in Zagora are left with empty barns and growing fear. Will the state finally stand by them, or will it leave them to fight this unknown plague alone? Drop a comment if you have similar experiences or think it’s time to speak up louder — maybe together we can push the authorities to act before it’s too late!
