Tragedy at sea

On 20 September, 2,901 female cows, of whom 1,400 were pregnant, departed Uruguay on board the Spiridon II vessel. They arrived in Turkey on 22 October, but the country refused to accept them because around 460 had issues with their documentation.

Since then, the cows have been floating off the Turkish coast in overcrowded, unsanitary, and dangerous conditions.

During this time, at least 58 animals have died and 140 cows have given birth on board. Heartbreakingly, 50 calves have been confirmed dead and the whereabouts of the other 90 are unknown.

We are speaking out

These animals have been left to endure exhaustion, stress, and deteriorating conditions. It’s an entirely preventable tragedy that should never have happened.

We’re calling on the WOAH to use their influence to allow Spiridon II, to dock at the nearest port, without further delay. That is the only way the animals will get the urgent veterinary treatment, food, and care they desperately need.

Ban live Exports

Through our Ban Live Exports campaign, we have documented the immense suffering that long-distance transportation of live animals causes.

Animals exported by sea often experience inhumane conditions. They are often forced to travel in extremely overcrowded spaces, unable to lie down and therefore unable to rest during the journeys. This can mean they are more at risk of injury and disease whilst travelling.

If animals are farmed for food, they should be slaughtered as close as possible to where they are reared. We will continue to do all we can to ensure these cows are safely brought to land, and until live exports are finally consigned to the past.

Eloise Shavelar, Global Head of Campaigns and Advocacy for Animal Welfare said:

These animals have endured unimaginable stress and dangerous conditions for far too long.

What’s happening on the Spiridon II is not just a logistical failure, it is a profound moral failure – bureaucracy and border disputes have taken precedence over animal welfare.

These cows must be allowed to dock and receive food, water and urgent veterinary attention immediately.

Time and time again we have these tragic incidents involving hundreds or thousands of animals suffering needlessly. We must end the live export of farmed animals once and for all.

Update: Cows released in Libya

Media stories have reported that all surviving cows on board the Spiridon II were finally unloaded in Libya after more than two months stranded at sea.

However, we still have serious concerns about the conditions they endured, the number of animals, including newborn calves, who tragically did not survive, and what will happen to the survivors.

We will continue to put pressure on the relevant authorities and policymakers to ensure this unnecessary suffering is never repeated, and to push for an end to this cruel and outdated trade once and for all.

Live exports by sea causes significant suffering. Join our campaign calling on Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries to end their cruel cargo:

Cows in Crisis: urgent action needed to end live-export cruelty

Cows in Crisis: urgent action needed to end live-export cruelty  