A livestock carrier carrying nearly 3,000 cattle has been stranded off the coast of Turkey for more than two weeks, as officials refuse to authorize unloading due to irregularities in the animals’ paperwork. Animal rights groups are demanding urgent action amid reports of deteriorating conditions on board.
The vessel, Spiridon II, departed Uruguay on September 19 carrying 2,901 cattle bound for Turkey. Upon arrival at Bandirma Port, authorities found discrepancies in roughly 500 ear tags and suspended disembarkation. Since then, the ship has been ordered to remain at anchorage, where the crew and livestock continue to face worsening conditions.
According to the ship’s owner, at least 48 animals have died, and the remaining cattle are suffering from exhaustion and dehydration as food and water supplies dwindle. Local residents have also complained of foul odors and insect infestations, prompting officials to increase pesticide spraying in nearby areas.
Animal rights groups have urged the government to allow the animals to be unloaded immediately to prevent further suffering.
Built in 1973 and converted to livestock transport in 2011, the Togo-flagged Spiridon II has a troubled record. In 2022, it suffered an engine failure off Spain while carrying nearly 8,000 animals, leading to a complicated transfer operation at sea.
Animal rights groups cite the current crisis as further proof that live animal export by sea is inhumane, calling for tighter international regulations and a gradual phase-out of such trade.
