Almost 3,000 cattle from Uruguay have finally been unloaded in Libya’s port of Benghazi after being stranded at sea for nearly two months — a situation that sparked international outrage from animal welfare groups.

The animals were aboard the livestock ship Spiridon II, which left Montevideo in mid-September bound for Turkey. However, Turkish authorities refused the ship entry in October, citing inconsistencies in the cattle’s health certificates. With no port to dock at, the vessel remained adrift while a dispute unfolded between the exporter and the buyer.

Uruguay’s government confirmed that the cattle were eventually disembarked safely in Libya, but animal welfare organizations have raised serious concerns. The Animal Welfare Foundation claims that dozens of animals may have died during the ordeal, and has called for a full investigation — including fears that deceased animals may have been thrown overboard.

The exporting company, Ganosan, denied responsibility, blaming the Turkish buyer for the breakdown in the agreement.

This incident has reignited global debate about the risks and ethics of long-distance live animal transport, especially by sea. Uruguay, one of the world’s major beef exporters, has nearly four times more cattle than people — making this case especially sensitive both economically and politically.