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Thousands of livestock marooned on ship after rerouting to avoid Houthi violence

The sheep and cattle carrier, bound for Israel from Western Australia, has been at sea for a month

February 2, 2024 14:00
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Australia exports half a million animals each year, a fifth of which go to Israel. The live animal export industry has been seen as cruel and inhumane by both regional and international animal rights groups. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP) (Photo by ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images)
2 min read

Thousands of sheep and cattle have been marooned on a ship off the coast of Australia after the boat was rerouted by Houthi violence in the Red Sea, much to the dismay of animal rights groups.

The Bahijah livestock carrier set sail to Israel from Fremantle Port in Western Australia with 15,000 sheep and 2,500 cattle on 5 January. Nine days later, the ship rerouted to avoid the Bab al-Mandab strait where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched numerous attacks on commercial ships in what the group has called retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza.

On 20 January, the Australian agriculture and fisheries department said the ship had been ordered to return to Australia “due to the worsening security situation” in the Red Sea.

However, Australian officials said on Thursday that while the Bahijah had been allowed to dock at the Fremantle Port, no livestock would be unloaded due to Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations.