Ships of Suffering: 3,000 Cattle Trapped by Live Export off Turkey

For weeks, nearly 3,000 cattle have been stranded aboard the Spiridon II off Turkey’s coast. Denied entry on October 21, 2025, after veterinary inspectors discovered missing ear tags, absent electronic ID chips, and mismatched records for 469 animals, the ship has remained anchored offshore, unable to unload its cargo. On November 8–9, the vessel was briefly allowed to dock to load fodder and bedding, only to be forced back out to sea. By mid‑November, conditions had worsened: animals confined in cramped, unsanitary spaces, food and water running low, and reports of between 48 and 58 cattle dead. Many of the heifers are pregnant, raising fears of miscarriages and further suffering. Footage from the deck shows white bags believed to contain dead bodies, a haunting image of lives lost to bureaucracy and profit.

Forty-eight animals on the Spiridon II livestock carrier are thought to have died after being stranded for three weeks off the coast of Turkey. PHOTO: X/@ANIMALSAVETR

This tragedy is not an isolated incident—it is the inevitable consequence of live animal trade:

• Systemic cruelty: Sentient beings reduced to cargo, enduring weeks of confinement and deprivation.

• Human impact: Residents of Bandırma complain of stench and swarms of flies, while crew members remain stranded alongside the animals.

• Legal limbo: Importers challenge Turkey’s decision in court, but the animals continue to suffer in the meantime.

This crisis should awaken policymakers, communities, and individuals to the urgent need for change. Governments are urged to prioritize animal welfare over trade profits. Communities and individuals can reduce demand for live export by embracing plant‑based food options rooted in our regional culinary heritage. Advocacy groups are encouraged to amplify these stories to inspire systemic reform.