Compassion in Action – Helena’s Everyday Work with the Animals

Morocco

It is 5 a.m. Dawn is slowly breaking. The “livestock market” in Sidi Bennour is already buzzing with frantic activity. The atmosphere is tense. The animals are frightened, the traders loud and stressed. A heavy smell of dung, urine, and sweat fills the air. From the adjacent slaughterhouse, a sweet, metallic scent of blood drifts over. Helena stands in the middle of the chaotic scene, observing the loading and unloading of the cattle.

Animal welfare is an absolute foreign concept here. The animals are beaten, kicked, and dragged out of the trucks by their horns or tails. It is cruel. Helena’s particular focus is on the dairy cows. She is looking for cows from the EU. She wants to document what fate awaits animals after their export to third countries such as Morocco, where there are virtually no animal welfare regulations. Then, amidst the horrific scene, she spots Elisa, a German Holstein cow…

Turkey

A heatwave has Europe firmly in its grip. At the Bulgarian–Turkish border, temperatures rise to over 34°C today. Helena sits together with Sven and Ali by the roadside in the shade of their rental car, watching the exit of the Turkish border station. Always on standby, they wait for animal transports from the EU.

After seven hours of waiting, two trucks leave the border. On board: young cows from the Czech Republic. Helena and her team identify serious animal welfare violations in both transports. Inside the trucks, temperatures reach 38°C, and several fans appear to be broken. Because the compartment height is too low and Marit and the other heifers are almost touching the ceiling, the air becomes trapped and stagnant.

Helena, Sven, and Ali decide to follow the transports to their destination in Turkey.

The journey takes over 14 hours, passing Istanbul and Ankara. Finally, upon arrival, the team finds that the barn makes a neglected impression: waste and bulky refuse are scattered everywhere, and there is no soft bedding. This would be particularly important so that the cows, which have been on the road for almost four days in total, can finally rest.

Using a translation app, Helena asks the stable workers about the care of the animals. She doubts that the young men are trained in handling highly sensitive, high-performance European dairy cattle.

Cairo, Egypt

Helena visits the vast import facility of an Egyptian meat trader. More than 5,000 cattle are fattened here and sold for slaughter. The owner’s son offers her a tour. Here as well, Helena is looking for animals from the EU.

Supporters of live exports often argue that European animals are intended for specialised operations and are meant to contribute to the development of dairy farming and the improvement of breeding in third countries. We know that this is not the case, and that in many countries there is no control at all over where the animals ultimately end up.

Although the stable facilities themselves are adequate, misery prevails here as well. Many animals are suffering from so-called transport fever, also known as bovine respiratory disease. Coughing animals can be heard everywhere; some of them appear apathetic, staring blankly ahead with rough, dull coats. Others lie on the ground with bloated bellies, while still others are already fighting for their lives.

Although one of the people present introduces himself as a veterinarian, he sees no problem with the condition of the animals. Helena knows the situation is hopeless—here, she can do nothing for the animals other than document what actually happens to them after transport. This is particularly hard to endure, because at the slightest criticism or question, she risks being thrown out and would not have enough time to document everything.

Yet Helena does indeed find what she is looking for. Among the “slaughter” animals are cows from Germany and other EU countries.

Helena’s Reports

As soon as she arrives at the hotel, Helena begins the follow-up work on the mission. She keeps detailed records of all observations and information gathered. She sorts photos and videos. From every mission and every day in the field, the goal is to extract as much as possible for the animals.

She discusses the next steps with her colleagues. There is no manual for this work. Every case, every country is different. Case by case, Helena considers how the animals can be helped in the best possible way. Would a conversation with the owner or the transport company make sense? Is it better to contact the veterinary authority or the ministry? Should the media be involved? Which form of complaint is most effective?