Three sloths freeze to death on plane at Liège airport

Three sloths in transit from Peru to Qatar died after being left on an aeroplane at Liège airport for 24 hours in the freezing cold.

Severe icy conditions reportedly made it impossible for the unloading machines to reach the plane’s hold and take care of the animals, SudPresse reports. Of the nine on board in total, six managed to survive.

In terms of blame, all parties are pointing the finger at one another: the airline, the unloading services and the airport.

An investigation is under way to determine responsibility, with Wallonia’s animal welfare minister Céline Tellier describing her reaction as one of “shock”.

The incident comes not long after legislation was created to prevent this sort of outcome. Last October, the Walloon government adopted a draft decree on the protection of animals during transport.

Tellier is considering sanctions if any wrongdoing is determined.

“It will be necessary to establish clarity, and if sanctions must be taken, they will be taken,” she told RTL.