Dial a cow.
Choppers carry cows to lunch
By EMMA GUMBLETON
05apr06
SLAUGHTERED cows and buffaloes are being airlifted into hungry NT communities cut off by floodwaters.
The carcasses are strung underneath helicopters and dropped into remote communities near Katherine.
The Jawoyn Association's Mick Pearce said the special deliveries were being made because people needed fresh meat.
``People ring and say it's too wet to go out hunting,'' Mr Pearce said.
``We keep predominantly short-horned cattle and a substantial herd of buffalo.''
The remote community of Beswick has been cut off intermittently for three weeks by high rivers.
Beswick resident Alfred Rickson said the community put out the call last week for fresh meat.
He said everyone cheered when a cow was lowered from a helicopter.
``We were just sitting down and we saw the cow,'' Mr Rickson said.
``It was lowered by rope and then it was cut off and dropped to the ground.
``It was given to the families. It was delicious.''
Mr Rickson said the flooding was the worst he'd seen. Roads are expected to reopen today.