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Taiwanese goats may have died from wind farm noise
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by Amy Judd | May 23, 2009 at 09:44 am
339 views | 41 Recommendations | 6 comments
Over 400 Taiwanese goats, whose pasture is right next to a recently erected wind farm, died a mysterious death, which may be due to exhaustion from the noise of the nearby farm.
The goats have died since eight giant turbines were installed clost to their field, and the constant noise may have led to lack of sleep for the animals.
The company, Taipower, has offered to pay part of the coast of moving the farm elsewhere. They are doubtful that the goats died from exhaustion due to the noise.
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The farmer Kuo Jing-Shan had over 700 goats and now only has 250 left. The area where he lives, Penghu, is know for its strong winds, and the stronger the winds, the louder the turbines.
"The goats looked skinny and they weren't eating. One night I went out to the farmhouse and the goats were all standing up; they weren't sleeping.
"I didn't know why. If I had known, I would've done something to stop the dying," he told the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taiwan.
Only Mr. Kuo has had so many goats die however, but he claims this is because his farm is only 40 metres away.
"Abnormal noises could affect the normal growth and feeding intake of animals and cause them to suffer sleep deprivation," Lu Ming-tseng said.
Mr. Kuo said he can't survive near the turbines anymore.
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Jonathan Enns
Canada
Recommendations (41)
Adam Purple
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States
jazzyzazzy
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
albertacowpoke
Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (6)
at 13:08 on May 23rd, 2009
If that is the case what will it do to us? Noise pollution is a hazard.
at 14:44 on May 23rd, 2009
Very weird story. Does make sense and possible too.
at 08:06 on May 24th, 2009
I do not believe that, We have Sheep for over 15 years now and Wind mills as well and none has died because of the Wind mills.
However some have died because of Purina feed being poisoned.
at 02:22 on May 25th, 2009
HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
at 01:58 on May 26th, 2009
Very funny Paschen,
Of course animals don't die from the turbines, (unless they have strong religius belives against them:))
It's the noise that kills them, try without sleep for a few nights and you'll know what that means, simple as that. The noise DOES deprive from sleep, and how long could one survive without sleep (human or animal)?
at 20:47 on July 31st, 2009
I do not believe Mr. Kuo. I was on Makung Island in Peng Hu County for Chinese New Year in '03 when Taipower had only 3 turbines built. I was standing right underneath one of the turbines. I have photos. If I recall correctly they are each 20 Kw. IT WAS NOT LOUD FOR PETE'S SAKE. Sorry I had to shout because that out to knock some sense Mr. Kuo. Just over a small rise only meters away is the Taiwan Straight. So if the turbines are louder in higher winds - the thundering surf I imagine would do a fine job of drowning out the sound of the turines. What a crock.