THOUSANDS of pregnant cows are trapped on a hot, stinking ship that has been stuck at sea for two months after being blocked from docking.
A rotten smell and swarms of flies hang over the boat, according to locals in a Turkish port, with cows dropping dead and giving birth in their own filth.
Around 2,900 animals are crammed inside the rank holds of Spiridon II – a Togo-flagged cargo ship.
A heap of large bags believed to hold cow corpses has appeared on the deck, with witnesses reporting bodily fluids seeping from them and limbs sticking out.
The 52-year-old vessel set off from the port of Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, on September 20, bound for Bandirma, Turkey, across the Atlantic.
But after arriving on October 22, the crew was blocked from off-loading the hordes of cattle by infuriating paperwork issues.
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There were reportedly problems with the ear tags and corresponding records for a number of the cows.
Banned from the harbour, Spiridon II was forced to anchor out at sea – and remained stuck for almost a month.
With thousands of cows squashed together for 58 days now, fears have been growing about the squalid conditions on board.
At least 58 of the cows have already perished, according to the Germany-based Animal Welfare Foundation.
It said the livestock “appear to be pregnant heifers” – female cows – and that around 140 of them had given birth on board.
The charity said that 50 new-born calves were “detected”, but it was unclear if all the calves were alive, and that the whereabouts of the other 90 is “unknown”.
Supplies of food and water were dwindling fast, and the animals are unlikely to be receiving proper care, the charity claimed.
But there’s no prospect for the animals of an immediate escape from foul prison, because the boat has now been banished back across the sea to Uruguay.
The outward journey took 32 days – so Spiridon II will likely arrive back in mid-December after setting sail on Friday.
Under mounting pressure, Turkish authorities allowed the boat to temporarily dock in Bandirma to take on supplies, but then sent it back out to sea.
But there’s no immediate escape for the animals as the ship has now been banished back across the seas to South America.
Animal Welfare Foundation had been begging for the animals to be immediately unloaded in Turkeybut they face weeks more of hell.
Dr Maria Boada Saña from Animal Welfare Foundation said: “After the long journey from Uruguay to Turkeythe animals are already weakened.
“Every further delay means massive suffering.”
Aussie vet Dr Lynn Simpson, who specialises in live export journeys, said: “It is my experience that provisions of fodder, bedding and fresh water are likely to be low or non-existent at this point with an unexpectedly extended voyage.
“I suspect that water supplies will be very low or questionable in quality if made at anchor.”
Dr Boada Saña added: “The fate of these 2,901 cattle is exemplary of the system of live animal exports on the high seas.
“As long as such transports are permitted, these tragedies will continue to happen.”
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Built in 1973, Spiridon II was converted to a livestock carrier in 2011.
It is listed as having 4,000 square meters of space for animals.