Turkey Orders Livestock Ship Back to Uruguay as Video Highlights Onboard Crisis

Overview

• The Spiridon II has carried roughly 2,900 Uruguayan cattle off Bandirma for nearly two months after Turkish officials barred unloading.
• Authorities cited inconsistencies in ear tags and records and said about 500 animals lacked required veterinary certificates, halting the entire cargo.
• Animal-welfare reports tally at least 58 deaths and about 140 births on board, with many calves unaccounted for as food and water supplies dwindle.
• Following brief permission to dock for re-supply, Turkey ordered the ship to return to Uruguay on a voyage expected to take about 32 days.
• Uruguayan and Turkish officials continue technical and diplomatic talks on documentation, monitoring, and potential partial solutions as public scrutiny grows.