Holidaymakers and locals have been left shocked after a number of dead cows washed up on beaches in the Canary Islands. In the past week, at least three cows have been found on the shores of the popular tourist destination.
The first carcass was spotted on Playa de La Jaquita near El Médano by two swimmers. Council workers later towed the animal away to a landfill. Days later, another cow was discovered in Granadilla de Abona, an industrial area, and a third was seen floating in the sea near La Gomera.
Authorities believe the cows were thrown overboard from cattle ships travelling from South America. It is customary to toss dead animals overboard during crossings. The recent cadavers may have come from the Polaris 2, a Panamanian-flagged livestock vessel that left Rio Grande, Argentina, on 22 March and is scheduled to pass the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture stated that the three dead cows “come with all certainty from one of these boats that transport the herds of cattle from the American continent, animals that in all probability died on board and were thrown into the sea”. David de Vera, general director of livestock, noted that dumping dead animals at sea “is prohibited by international law”.
