- A ship carrying around 16,500 sheep and cattle, known as MV Bahijah, stranded at sea for almost a month, has finally docked in Australia.
- The vessel embarked on its journey from the port of Fremantle, Western Australia, bound for the Middle East.
- However, two weeks into its voyage, it was instructed to turn around due to ongoing attacks by Yemen Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
- After being stranded off the west Australian coast for days, the ship docked at Fremantle, raising welfare concerns for the livestock.
- Authorities are now developing contingency plans for the safe offloading and quarantine of the animals, with heatwave conditions in the region posing an additional challenge.
Stranded at Sea
The MV Bahijah, carrying approximately 16,500 sheep and cattle, encountered a month-long ordeal as it was stranded at sea. The vessel initially set sail from the port of Fremantle, Western Australia, destined for the Middle East. However, two weeks into its journey, the Australian government directed it to turn around due to the ongoing threat of attacks by Yemen Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. This decision left the ship stranded off the west Australian coast, raising concerns about the welfare of the thousands of animals on board.
Welfare Concerns and Contingency Plans
The prolonged journey and uncertain conditions prompted authorities to develop contingency plans for the safe offloading and quarantine of the livestock. With the ship finally docking at Fremantle after 25 days, the focus shifts to addressing the welfare challenges posed by the heatwave conditions in the region. Despite worries, veterinarians sent to inspect the animals found no significant health or welfare issues. However, the reprieve for the livestock may be brief, as authorities assess an application to re-export them. This could potentially lead to an extended journey, with the MV Bahijah sailing around Africa to access the Suez Canal ports, adding considerable time and miles to the trip.
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Source: Washington Post
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