In north-west Queensland, tens of thousands of cattle are dying of thirst and hunger despite being surrounded by fresh water and grass. Grazier Angus Propsting described the phenomenon as 'completely absurd', noting that the animals refuse to drink or wade through the water to reach fodder. 'They are actually perishing because they are not drinking, even though they are surrounded by water,' he said.
The cattle, primarily Brahman and Droughtmaster breeds, are stranded on small islands of high ground in the flooded outback. Propsting explained that the animals are too fearful to leave their perches, even when grass is just metres away across shallow water. 'They will starve themselves before they will walk back through any water,' he said, adding that the behaviour was also observed during the devastating floods of 2019.
Richmond Shire Mayor John Wharton estimated that up to 100,000 cattle may have died since Christmas, though official figures are lower. He noted that the true scale may not be known for up to five months, as fences have been washed away and cattle swept onto different properties. 'People are very mentally stressed and traumatised,' Wharton said, highlighting the psychological toll on graziers.
As floodwaters recede, graziers are beginning the grim task of counting losses and coaxing surviving cattle to safety. Propsting described the scene as 'fairly exhausting and sickening', with many animals too dispirited to be moved by helicopter. North of Julia Creek, grazier Cody Rogers reported that the Flinders River continues to rise, threatening cattle previously thought safe.
