KUWAIT CITY, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Some 50,000 Australian sheep have arrived in Kuwait after eight weeks at sea, but their fate remains uncertain, an Australian newspaper said Saturday.
The MV Cormo Express docked in Kuwait to take on supplies and was inspected by chief vet Gardner Murray and a representative from the World Animal Health Organization, the Daily Telegraph said.
Saudi Arabia rejected the shipment after a Saudi vet found more than 6 percent of the sheep had a disease known as scabby mouth.
The Australian government has been unable to find another country willing to accept the sheep -- even for free -- and is considering bringing them back to Australia.
But former chief vet Bill Gee has warned the sheep may have been infected with diseases which do not exist in Australia and should not be allowed to return home.
"I find the sheep are in remarkably good condition," Murray said.
Murray said about 5,000 sheep had died from disease and heat and more would die before the voyage ended.
