This enormous act of slaughter has been referred to as “the biggest atrocity carried out by humans” by critical Muslim observers. Spanish individuals likened to lambs, such as 0338 and numerous others, are heading toward Africa and the Gulf with the grim prospect of traveling and perishing under deplorable circumstances. Upon leaving the harbor, these people forfeit their European legal protections.
Lamb 0338’s brown eyes peer through the truck bars as a brief respite from the heat offers comfort. Once thriving in a cared-for meadow, these animals now face being packed into cramped spaces like livestock aboard ships. Despite Spain having some of the most robust animal welfare regulations globally—designed to reduce suffering during slaughters—all hope seems lost upon reaching the docks bound for harsher destinations. Sheep numbered 0338 will endure voyages deemed unacceptable within European borders en route to the brutal annual ritual of Eid al-Adha. Lambs raised humanely by local farmers end up enduring extreme cruelties in nations far away.
In the Port of Cartagena, vessels destined for their transportation begin arriving. Some of these ships have switched nationalities; some were previously used for car shipments but now serve another function; still, others do not provide adequate air circulation. These details are brought forth by the German-Swiss group known as the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF). Their operatives blend into various operations, relaying information about conditions within. Meanwhile, additional members observe activities externally from multiple vantage points using advanced equipment such as telephoto lenses and unmanned aerial vehicles. Together, they aim to unveil the plight of the sheep left at sea, forsaken both by divine providence and human care upon boarding those ships.
Year after year, the disturbing visuals of Eid al-Adha continue to repeat themselves, despite variations in dates. For this particular occasion, which falls over the evening of Thursday, June 5, 2025, until Friday, June 6, 2025, approximately 1.3 billion Muslims partake in festivities during what’s known as the Feast of Sacrifice. During these celebrations, millions of lambs meet their end; however, many slaughters occur under circumstances deemed unacceptable within European standards.
This act is performed in honor of Ibrahim, who was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael following a divine directive. Before he could proceed, God intervened by substituting a ram for the boy’s life. Similar to the biblical narrative of Abraham and Isaac—depicted even by Caravaggio—in Catholic traditions, this practice has faded away. However, within Islamic customs, it is recognized as Eid al-Adha or the Great Festival. Many Muslims view it similarly as unusual. Egyptian advocate and writer Fatima Naut criticized the cruelty involved.
Crónica
A number of years back, she referred to it as “the worst slaughter carried out by humans.” She shared this statement despite the significant danger it posed to her personally.
Order of the final days for a Spanish lamb. Starting from a cared-for farm to the transport vehicle.ANIMAL WELFARE FOUNDATION
The trucks keep coming. The lambs stare wide-eyed. Their cries echo loudly. Curiosity mixed with distress fills their gazes as they peer at the camera. Most of this herd is being squeezed onto vessels bound primarily for Algeria. That’s now their final stop. We can verify that these creatures originally came from farms adhering to European standards. However, conditions take a turn for the worse when they get onboard the ships.
Local activists with AWF say that sometimes, despite being disoriented, these animals end up falling into the water. They claim that without their reports, people might just leave them to drown. Spanish officials permit the shipment of live sheep to this nation starting from April 21st until Eid al-Adha under an accord made between Spain’s Sanchez administration and Algeria. These exported lambs range from six to twenty-four months in age. This choice has sparked controversy, drawing criticism beyond just those focused on animal welfare.
THE MEAT INDUSTRY OPPOSES
The Spanish National Association of Meat Industries (ANICA) does not agree with this decision. They clearly state, “They regret the choice made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food to allow the shipment of live sheep to Algeria.” They further explain, “There has been a notable decline in the number of sheep over recent years, leading to a reduction in livestock availability and increasing pressures on slaughtering animal costs, which have reached all-time highs. Additionally, the growth in exporting live animals to foreign nations—Morocco being the primary recipient—is continuing to push up these animal prices,” they highlight.
Exporting live animals leads to the loss of the value chain, with indications of speculation present. “Algeria has turned into a key marketplace for Spanish meat and offal exports—whether beef or sheep-related products. This choice jeopardizes an essential segment of the livestock-to-meat supply chain, steering activities toward a speculative market centered around trading live creatures, one that relies solely on continuing advantageous circumstances,” adds ANICA.
They reach the port of Cartagena. The personnel responsible for transporting them to the ship primarily communicate in Arabic.
They fail to comprehend the rationale behind the decision and view it as the removal of a detrimental obstacle, even from a health perspective. “Exporting live livestock to Algeria was consistently seen as an unbreachable health hurdle by the Spanish authorities (owing to potential health risks associated with returning ships coming from regions where highly infectious animal illnesses are prevalent). Although regulations permit sending these animals via sea routes exclusively, one cannot help but wonder about the underlying factors or changes that have occurred now which were absent previously, leading to the lifting of such restrictions.”
Nobody can ensure that vessels which previously flew under different flags, frequently altering their registration and ownership, have the capability to enforce an effective decontamination process for maintaining strict pest management. Moreover, they point out, this situation is exacerbated by a period characterized by a scarcity of livestock within the domestic market. It’s bewildering.
It is believed that more than half a million Spanish lambs will have been shipped out for this festive occasion to predominantly Muslim nations, particularly those located in the Maghreb region and around the Persian Gulf. Some ships may carry as many as 25,000 lambs each. The data from the animal export report provided by Cexgan/Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food indicates that in 2024, approximately 1,108,083 sheep were sent to overseas abattoirs, marking an 18 percent rise compared to the preceding year.
Each ship has the capacity to transport up to 25,000 animals.
Moreover, Morocco has instituted a measure this year where King Mohammed VI has halted the large-scale slaughter associated with Eid Al-Adha. This decision does not stem from concerns over animal welfare but rather from financial considerations. The country is grappling with significant drought-related challenges that have impacted their economy and severely reduced their herds—by almost 40% when compared to levels from ten years prior. Thus,
Commander of the Faithful
, the monarch has exempted his subjects from this celebration. This measure had not been taken since 1996, and it was his father Hassan II who did so for the same reason. Their aim is to repopulate their farms as quickly as possible. The export of fresh meat from Spain has been authorized, allowing at least some control over the slaughter and limiting transportation.
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