Mar 26, 2012 China_Herdsmen moving livestock to spring pasture in Xinjiang

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• published: 26 Mar 2012
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Almost a million heads of livestock are on their way from winter pastures to the spring and autumn pastures where more water and food are available, after the temperature rise in Altay Prefecture of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Snow has largely melted on the Altai Mountains, but as there was little snow last winter, only a few pockets of icy water along the route to the new pasture can be seen, and the livestock are facing severe water shortage. The Tubbs family from Fuhai County was driving more than 700 sheep, 70 cattle, 20 camels and 30 horses to their spring and autumn pasture on Mar 22. "Today marks our Kazakh New Year and is a festival, but we have to move ahead of usual schedule because there was little snow (in winter), and the livestock has a shortfall of water and grass," said Giger, a herdsman from Fuhai County. The caravan set out at 05:00 early in the morning. The wife of Tubbs' youngest son took the lead, driving the camels that carried tools and utensils. Tubbs and his youngest son brought up the rear, with the cattle and sheep. "There's little snow and the road is good. We have to transfer the livestock here in time, otherwise the lambing season will be affected," said Tubbs. It will take them about two weeks to reach the spring and autumn pasture. The Great Day of Annihilation http://thegreatdayofannihilation.com/2012/03/26/mar-26-2012-china_herdsmen-moving-livestock-to-spring-pasture-in-xinjiang/