Environmental campaigning organisation Greenpeace Africa has expressed dismay and disappointment after a ship transporting nearly 20 000 live heads of cattle from Brazil to Iraq was allowed to leave Cape Town earlier this week.
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The NSPCA, with the assistance of its member society, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, inspected the vessel from Sunday to Tuesday after the Al Kuwait, transporting over 19 000 live animals, arrived in Cape Town.
The scenes on the vessel were abhorrent, with an extreme buildup of faeces and urine and animals forced to rest in dams of their own excrement.
Compromised animals were discovered, including diseased and injured ones. The NSPCA humanely euthanised eight cows aboard the ship, while others were discovered dead. Dr Bryce Marock, NSPCA Veterinary Consultant, ensured that other animals received proper veterinary care.
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The stench coming from the ship hung over the city on Monday, adding to the concerns of residents and further raising concerns over the wellbeing of the livestock.
More than 74 000 South Africans have supported ongoing calls to halt live farm animal shipments, especially in response to the arrival of the Al Kuwait
‘It is rather unfortunate that the ship was not impounded to save the cattle but was allowed to leave South Africa for its final destination, Iraq,’ Cynthia Moyo, climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace Africa. ‘The suffering of these animals transported in such poor conditions will continue. Animal welfare should be taken seriously and respected to avoid senseless harm.’
Moyo added that Greenpeace Africa is committed to defending animal welfare and challenging the systems that perpetuate harm.
‘The appalling conditions aboard the ship reveal a disturbing truth of the ongoing appalling treatment of animals in our modern society.’
‘It is shocking to see in this day and age that the transporters don’t give consideration to the health of animals and the impacts on the communities,’ Moyo concluded.
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Also read:
74K South Africans call for halt to live animal shipments amid Al Kuwait controversy
Picture: Steve Sharp / Greenpeace
