Rising flood waters in Bolivia's Amazonian region have forced thousands of residents from their homes.

And tens of thousands of cattle have been lost in eastern Bolivia -which produces 45 percent of Bolivia's beef.

The El Carmen Hacienda counted 800 head before torrential rains caused the river to overflow its banks.
   
Now, the herd at El Carmen is down to just 80.

[Pablo Garrido, Foreman, El Cameron Hacienda]:
"If the water keeps coming we are going to have to take the cattle to higher ground because there is no grass here and if we leave them here they will die. They are already really skinny."

The loss of livestock is a devastating blow to the Bolivian economy and the government now worries about possible food shortages.

The Bolivian military has begun humanitarian aid operations, but much of it has not reached those most in need like the stranded residents of Los Puentes.