cattle ship Cape Town harbour
The NSPCA has confirmed the departure of the livestock carrier Al Kuwait, that recently docked in Cape Town Harbour. Image: DA/@rabbitking007

Home » A cattle ship causes foul smell in Cape Town

A cattle ship causes foul smell in Cape Town

A cattle ship, carrying around 19 000 cows from Brazil to Iraq has docked in the Mother City to replenish feed for the animals.

20-02-24 13:09
cattle ship Cape Town harbour
The NSPCA has confirmed the departure of the livestock carrier Al Kuwait, that recently docked in Cape Town Harbour. Image: DA/@rabbitking007

Africa’s leading travel destination, Cape Town, has welcomed visitors who bring with it a nauseating stench which has engulfed the city. A cattle ship, carrying around 19 000 cows from Brazil to Iraq has docked in the Mother City to replenish feed for the animals.

The smell prompted an investigation of sewage facilities for leaks and an environmental health team was activated.

NSPCA SLAMS CATTLE SHIP CONDITIONS

Apart from the smell, the ship, the Al Kuwait, has drawn criticism from the National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(NSPCA).

The NSPCA says it remains strongly against the live export of animals by sea.

In a statement, the NSPCA says the animals are being kept in deplorable conditions.

“This smell is indicative of the awful conditions the animals endure, having already spent two and a half weeks on board, with a build-up of faeces and ammonia. The stench onboard is unimaginable, yet the animals face this every single day” the organisation says.

DA HAS THEIR SAY

ALSO READ: Cape Town water outages: Here is the schedule for this week

The Democratic Alliance has also criticised the transportation of live animals by ship.

The party says it will monitor the ship to ensure measures are implemented to safeguard the welfare of the cattle on board.

“Live export, as evidenced by this situation, exposes animals to perilous conditions such as dangerous levels of ammonia, rough seas, extreme heat stress, injuries, dirty environments, exhaustion, and even death.”

“The cramped conditions also pose a significant risk for the rapid spread of diseases.”

ALSO READ: Change Starts Now leader Roger Jardine launches his new political party