Updated May 9, 2008—Five of Futaleufú, Chile's 7,000 cattle rest in volcanic ash on May 4, 2008.

The source of the ash, the Chaitén volcano about 75 miles (120 kilometers) away, began erupting May 2. It could continue spewing ash for weeks, experts say (full story).

(Related photos: "Chile Volcano Erupts With Ash, Lava, Lightning".)

On Thursday residents within a 30-mile (50-kilometer) radius of the volcano were forced to evacuate the area as explosions of fiery rocks continued to spew from the mountain.

An estimated 15,331 head of cattle, 12,828 sheep, and 957 horses—which farmers had no choice but to leave behind—will be evacuated by the government, officials from Chile's agriculture ministry told National Geographic News.

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