May 30 and 31, 2024

While part of the team restocks supplies for the "Walrus"* to continue the investigation at sea, others take the opportunity to observe the activities around the port of Cartagena. The area is bustling with activity. Not far from the port entrance, we find trucks loaded with cattle parked under the blazing sun. The fans are…

We trained local authorities in Reus, Catalonia (Spain). Local police and veterinarians were further educated by our veterinarians Tea and Maria on inspecting animal transports. The collaboration with the authorities is a great benefit for all parties: only through this can officials and veterinarians pay attention to the crucial details in animal…

07.03.2024 | Catalonia Spain | Reus

The training is divided in two parts. The first day is dedicated to learning on how to inspect the truck for the purpose of issuing the authorization to transport animals. 33 veterinarians and rural policeman attended the training. A German retired police officer with many years of experience on inspecting the…

For years, we have been documenting the cruel conditions of live exports of European animals to third countries via sea from the Spanish port of Cartagena. In the second half of June, we documented together with our partner organisations Welfarm and Animals International, the loading of sheep once again. The animals were loaded onto the vessels…

Investigation in Cartagena: Spain's live export industry by sea

Since 2018, we have been documenting the cruel conditions of live exports of European animals to third countries via sea from the Spanish port of Cartagena. In the first half of June, we documented, the loading of cattle and sheep once again. The animals were loaded onto the vessels…

Drei Jahre ist es her, dass der Jungbulle Ferdinand im Hafen von Cartagena, Spanien, schwer misshandelt wurde. Der Fall Ferdinand kam nur ans Licht, weil unsere Teams einschritten. Einer der wenigen Fälle, die bei Tierschutzverbrechen überhaupt vor Gericht verhandelt wurden.

In March 2021, the livestock carrier ELBEIK made international headlines: with almost 1,800 young bulls on board, the vessel wandered the Mediterranean for almost three months. The animals were detained on the ELBEIK because of suspected bluetongue virus. 179 animals did not survive the cruel transport, the remaining animals were taken to the…

Our team covertly trails a German transporter carrying unweaned calves to Spain. We are accompanied by an official veterinarian. After eight hours the drivers stopp in France to supply the calves with electrolyte solution. The majority of the calves is using the mobile drinking system.

We are positively surprised to observe for the first time the…

The port of Cartagena in Spain is one of the most important export ports. From there, European animals are transported to countries outside the EU. In mid-June, our team observes the loading of bovine animals onto export ships. Our partner organisations Animals International and Verein Gegen Tierfabriken are with us.

The vessels JULIA AK (built…