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These images show cattle on board a live export ship in Eilat, Israel, and after loading onto trucks for onward journeys. The temperatures of 42.5 on the dockside is very high but completely normal for that time and place. The reading of 56.5 (allegedly in the hold) is extreme by anyone's measure. The images show some (what appear to be Bos taurus) cattle with long winter coats liberally coated with faeces – all risk factors for occurrence of heat stress and poor welfare. The subsequent rollover and death of cattle on the truck just makes things even worse. Long-haul voyages to the Middle East should not occur at any time, but taking winter-adapted cattle into those conditions is appalling. See the photos (link to a dropbox folder) Read our response to Port Adelaide Monitors, who provided the photos: 
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Perhaps in line with Australia’s C welfare rating, it is worth noting the comment from an Australian livestock veterinarian who volunteered for the HIS Earthquake Relief team in Nepal:
“the incredible care given by their owners was inspiring. They were being hand-fed, had new shelters built over and around them and were treated like the injured family member they are, This care goes far beyond what we could imagine in Australia” Ref: HIS Newsletter Vol 21, Issue 2, Jul 2015 In Nepal, the killing of a cow is illegal and equates to manslaughter. For a Hindu vet to kill a cow, they are not only risking being charged as a criminal, their religion regards them as a heinous sinner. Yet, one brave Nepalese vet faced with a decision to end suffering in a cow with terrible injuries from the earthquake, against his law and religion, did what he thought was morally and professionally correct (Chand 2015).
For Australian veterinarians opposing live export, we have it very easy…..we can do this legally and all we have to fear are our peers' opinions…! We are humbled by the actions of our Nepalese colleague, Dr Rakesh Chand. Ref: Chand R. Aust Vet J 2015;93:8 |
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