Attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, have had a direct impact on live sheep and cattle exports, creating an animal welfare crisis. A ship carrying around 14,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle was marooned off the Australian coast in sweltering heat after it was forced to abandon its trip through the Red Sea because of the danger of drone or missile strikes.

The live export ship MV Bahijah left Fremantle in Australia on January 5, heading for Jordan, only to be diverted from its intended course two weeks later by threats of attacks by the Houthis. After five weeks at sea, the vessel was ordered to return home by the Australian government. Before the animals could be unloaded again in Australia, they had to be subjected to quarantine restrictions under biosecurity rules.

The alternative, for the exporters, was to send them back to sea for a month-long journey to Jordan around Africa, avoiding the Red Sea. While negotiations proceeded, the animals were left in limbo, docked in Fremantle, in a 44 degrees Celsius heatwave, while the crew waited for a decision from the Australian government.

The suffering of the animals on board the stranded ship has caused an international outcry among animal welfare supporters who oppose such live exports. Australia sends hundreds of thousands of live sheep and cattle to the Middle East annually.

Even during routine journeys through the Suez Canal, the animals endure long and arduous voyages, crammed into pens in intense heat with limited access to water, food, and veterinary services. Casualty rates during such voyages are high. These are the lucky ones.

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