Assessment of transport stress on cattle travelling a long distance (˜648 km), from Jessore (Indian border) to Chittagong, Bangladesh

Alam, Mahabub; Hasanuzzaman, Md; Hassan, Mohammad Mahmudul; Rakib, Tofazzal Md; Hossain, Md Emran; Rashid, Md Harun; Sayeed, Md Abu; Philips, Lindsay B; Hoque, Md Ahasanul

Mismanagement during animal transport seriously impacts animal welfare by exerting significant stress to the body. 21 The present study recorded animal deprivation from feed and water, insufficient space allocation (average 8-10 square feet per animal) for the animals in the vehicles, and forcefully keeping the animals in standing position for the entirety of transportation. The deprivation of feed and water is considered a violation of freedom from hunger, which is one of the five needs used in assessing animal welfare. 25 Fasting and long standing times may have an effect on low serum glucose concentration (also discussed later in this manuscript) and malfunctioning of the body. 26 The space per cattle in the vehicle during transportation in this study was estimated to be 8-10 square feet per animal, which is lower than the standard space requirement for Zebu cattle (B indicus) transportation via road vehicles. According to the Bureau of Indian Standard, about 15-20 square feet per cattle is required. 27 The high stocking density of cattle in the vehicle during transportation may have contributed significantly to the increase in the frequency of severe injuries during transportation.