Earlier this month we wrote to the World Organisation for Animal Health and Uruguayan ambassadors to demand urgent action to end the suffering of the nearly three thousand cows stranded at sea for over 60 days.

A preventable tragedy

The animals departed Uruguay on 20 September on board the Spiridon II vessel, arriving in Turkey a month later on 22 October, but the country refused to accept them due to issues with their documentation.

The cows were then left floating off the Turkish coast, suffering in squalid, overcrowded conditions. During this time and during the journey from Uruguay, many animals sadly died.

Serious concerns

This week, media stories have reported that all surviving cows on board the Spiridon II were finally unloaded in Lybia 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 died onboard, 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and policymakers to ensure this unnecessary suffering is never repeated, and to push for an end to this cruel and outdated trade once and for all.

A timeline of suffering

20 September: The Spiridon II leaves Uruguay with 2,901 cattle on board, approximately half the cows onboard are pregnant.

22 October: The Spiridon II arrives at the port of Bandirma in Turkey.

23 October: Turkey refuses to unload the animals due to issues with documentation.

9 October: Permission is given to restock supplies in Turkey, but not to unload the animals.

14 November: The Spiridon II leaves Turkey.

22 November: The Spiridon II docks at the port of Benghazi in Libya. The animals are later unloaded after two months of suffering at sea.

Take action

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: Update