Cat deaths near Bayou Corne mining disaster are being investigated

[Emily]

This Facebook group is reporting that necropsies will be done to determine the cause of death:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=596169520441042&set=a.428190717238924.104694.428167043907958&type=1&theater

There is more about the cats on the group's timeline. They belonged to a couple of colonies of feral cats that were being maintained by residents who evacuated the area. Although their food was supplemented by their caretakers, being primarily feral, the cats could be a sentinel species for the local environment.

The Assumption Parish Police Jury blog has an update on efforts by local and Baton Rouge volunteers to help the cats:
http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/955-a-m-update-on-cats/

October 16, 2013
9:55 a.m. Update on Cats

An update from the volunteers who are providing assistance with the stray cats in the Bayou Corne community...

22 cats have been trapped and 6 were already spayed/neutered and released. 16 cats were spayed/neutered and given 3-year rabies vaccinations. All 16 were returned to the exact spot where they were caught. This volunteer effort will be performed again within a couple of weeks.