At the time of this shoot, an estimated 32,000 sheep were transported to, bought, and sold at the Ballarat Sale Yards each day. During the daylong shoot, photographer Jo-Anne McArthur documented the animals being loaded, unloaded, and then loaded again to and from transport trucks, which would then take them to slaughter, to a new farm, or to ships where they would undergo a long journey overseas. While at the sale yards, the sheep were ushered and sometimes hit in order to move up and down ramps and through chutes to be viewed and sold. Australian Cattle dogs climbed over, chased, and herded the sheep. Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

Thousands of sheep and goats drown after live export ship sinks near Oman

News

28 May 2026

Around 4,000 sheep and goats have died after a live export ship caught fire and sank off the coast of Oman, with the animals trapped on board and unable to escape. The incident has renewed calls to end the live export of animals due to the serious risks to their welfare.

Around 4,000 sheep and goats have died after a live export ship sank off the coast of Oman, in yet another deadly incident involving the global live animal trade.

The vessel, MSV Haji Ali, was travelling from Berbera in Somalia to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates when a fire broke out on board. The ship later sank.

All 14 crew members were rescued by the Oman Coast Guard. The animals on board were left behind. Trapped below deck, the sheep and goats are believed to have died from drowning, smoke inhalation or the fire itself.

With no way to escape, they would have faced panic and distress in their final moments. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A horrific end for animals trapped on board

For the animals on the ship, there was no way out.

Confined in crowded conditions typical of live export journeys, they were unable to move freely or reach safety as the situation worsened. As the fire spread and the vessel began to sink, thousands were left to die.

The sinking of the MSV Haji Ali off the coast of Oman, which is reported to have killed around 4,000 sheep and goats, is a devastating reminder of the inherent cruelty and risks of the live animal trade.

These animals endured unimaginable suffering in their final moments - confined and unable to escape. This sadly, is not an isolated accident, every year, millions of animals are transported long distances across oceans in overcrowded and stressful conditions, where they are exposed to extreme heat, disease, injury, exhaustion, and death.

Live export should no longer be an option.

Michelle Baxter Wickham, Head of Food Systems Strategy at World Animal Protection

Peter a Sunda pangolin rescued by JAAN receiving a medical check

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A trade that puts animals at risk

Transporting animals long distances by sea exposes them to a range of serious animal welfare risks.

On these journeys, animals can face extreme heat, overcrowding, exhaustion and disease. Even under normal conditions, many do not survive the journey.

Last year saw the catastrophic situation aboard the Spiridon II, where thousands of cows were trapped at sea. Many gave birth or died whilst being stranded.

Routes to the Middle East can be especially dangerous, with high temperatures putting animals under severe stress. Long voyages also increase the risk of injury, illness and death.

Calling for an end to live export

The deaths of thousands of sheep and goats off the coast of Oman have again brought attention to the realities of the live export trade.

Millions of animals are shipped around the world every year, enduring long journeys in conditions that can compromise their health and welfare.

World Animal Protection, along with other organisations, is urging governments to end live export and invest in alternatives that do not rely on transporting animals over long distances.