Drone footage from Forbes saleyard shows injured sheep amid dozens of dead animals

Footage captured by a drone at the Central West Livestock Exchange in Forbes, New South Wales, depicts an animal that appears to be an injured sheep being placed in a paddock where nearly 30 dead sheep are visible. The video was supplied to ABC News by the animal‑rights group Animal Liberation and has prompted calls for an inquiry into the handling of livestock at the facility.

The incident occurred in September, according to the supplied material, and shows individuals moving the injured animal into the same area where the carcasses lie. A second clip, also provided by Animal Liberation, appears to show three dead sheep being dragged behind a vehicle within the saleyard. Both videos have been forwarded to the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League, the latter of which is responsible for investigating animal welfare concerns in western New South Wales.

The Central West Livestock Exchange is one of the country's largest saleyards, processing more than 1.8 million sheep in 2025‑26, according to Meat and Livestock Australia. Animal welfare advocates, including Animal Liberation director Lisa Ryan, described the footage as distressing and called for stronger animal cruelty legislation in the state.

The Animal Welfare League has confirmed that it is reviewing the material and will determine whether any breaches of animal welfare law have occurred. No official response from the saleyard operators or the New South Wales government has been reported at the time of publication.