This sheep was observed to have a profusely bleeding horn. Standard 1.7 of the
Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock says that an animal who has a
bleeding horn must be rejected from the export chain.

This image is of a sheep with a blind eye. Standard 1.7 of the Australian Standards
for the Export of Livestock says that an animal who is blind in one or both eyes
must be rejected from the export chain.

 

This image is of a sheep with Keratoconjuntivitis, also known as pink eye, in its
right eye. Standard 1.7 of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock says
that an animal who has keratoconjunctivitis must be rejected from the export chain.

 

Under the Code of Practice for transportation of sheep in Western Australia, section
6.5.3 says "working dogs must not be transported in the stock crate with sheep.
Dogs should be transported out of sight of stock, either in the vehicle cabin or
in a suitably designed and ventilated kennel elsewhere on the vehicle.

 

These photos were taken at Fremantle Port, Western Australia in early October 2009,
bound for the live export market. These photographs show downed sheep with limbs
protruding from  the truck.  Often, drivers are not aware of their responsibilities under 
State and Federal legislation and codes.  Driver training is essential and authorities
should be at both the feedlot and port for loading and unloading.

These pictures were taken at Fremantle Port, Western Australia, in July and August 2009. 
These sheep were loaded at the feedlot for live export, even though the Australian Standards
for the Export of Livestock. Standard 1.7 says animals should have "no significant lacerations". 
We call on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), to properly monitor
animals to ensure they are all fit to load for live export.

Over-crowding on live export vessels means that many animals cannot reach food and water. If they do it is likely to be contaminated with other animals' excrement. Excessive heat, sea spray and dust lead to blindness in many animals. Injuries, starvation, heat stress and respiratory problems cause tens of thousands of animals to die or arrive in very poor condition. A disaster by any other name. Animals are transported aboard livestock vessels to Asia and the Middle East, and are shipped like this…

Dead sheep on Al Kuwait - Animals Australia

WSPA

Fremantle Port


Fremantle Port

Animals are crammed into trucks and transported thousands of kilometres to export feedlots. As their journeys progress, they become stressed and exhausted. Some fall down and get trampled and injured, or die. Animals are transported to feedlots and ports like this…

Fremantle Port PACAT

Fremantle Port PACAT


Fremantle Port PACAT

Animals are crammed into trucks and transported thousands of kilometres to export feedlots. As their journeys progress, they become stressed and exhausted. Some fall down and get trampled and injured, or die. Animals are transported to feedlots and ports like this… (photos by Animals Australia)

 

Exported animals are routinely slaughtered in a violent and non-halal manner. Sheep's legs are bound tightly with nylon rope and their heads are lined up over a drain to have their throats cut in full view of each other while fully conscious. Investigators have also witnessed appalling routine handling and slaughter of cattle. Four or five slaughter workers tackle an animal until it falls heavily to the ground. The workers use the animals' eye sockets to manipulate the head into position for the throat to be cut whilst it is fully conscious. Their deaths are traumatic, painful and slow. They die like this… (photos by Animals Australia)

 

On the 18th March, BLEAT volunteers (see more below about BLEAT, the joint Stop Live Exports and Animals Australia volunteer team) were out in force in Fremantle for their first initiative – a Sheep Memorial, with each of the 35 sheep representing 1000 sheep that died on board transport vessels in 2008. Over 1400 petition signatures were gained on the day which is a fantastic effort. The sheep looked great as well and there was no doubt about the message – BAN LIVE EXPORTS! Thank you to everyone who got involved in making the sheep, putting them together, setting up and helping on the day. Mortality reports for the live export of cattle and sheep in 2008 have recently been made available. In 2008, 4,161,218 sheep were exported of which 35, 425 (0.85%) died on board ships. 861,657 cattle were exported with 987 (0.11%) dying on board. The rates for 2007 were 0.99% for sheep and 0.10% for cattle.