A 23-year-old vegan animal rights activist has shared footage that she shot from inside an abattoir whilst comforting a calf that would later be slaughtered.
Alix Livingstone, from Melbourne, Australia, broke into the Benalla slaughterhouse in Victoria and chained herself up to some railings near the young cows. Another activist then managed to shackle themselves to a calf in a vain bid to free it.
The slaughterhouse staff then set about removing the activists, saying that they would be removed forcibly if they refused to go of their own volition.
Alix tried to negotiate the two calves' release but was unsuccessful. She claims that they were then slaughtered just hours later.
The two calves had been removed from their mothers and were just 30 days old. Alix works for Aussie Farms as an investigator and tries to raise awareness of the plight of the animals involved in the meat industry.
She has a Facebook page called Alix the Vegan. On that page she says: "I am a Melbourne based Animal Liberation Activist, working alongside the animals and other dedicated activists to try and help bring to an end the exploitation of animals for food, clothing, entertainment and experimentation.
"My goal is to help educate and raise awareness about the ways in which we use animals by exposing people to the truth of these industries."
After being inspired by the actions of other activists, Livingstone became a vegan around two years ago. She has been involved in various forms of activism, but isn't always trying to rescue the animals, although sometimes she does take them home.
Sometimes she just offers them comfort, as in this case.
She continued: "I get to know them as individuals and it's heartbreaking to know their fate if they are not going to be rescued.
"I was inspired by other activists I saw online. I felt I needed to do more than just being vegan. I needed to join the fight for animal liberation."
Livingstone has also said that she hopes that one day everyone will come around to her way of thinking regarding veganism, and that she is confused as to why many people remain dead set against it.
She added: "Veganism is not causing harm to the most vulnerable creatures on the planet, showing compassion and being kind to all sentient beings.
"I hope that those who have not yet made the connection will soon realise that even though they are different, they share the ability to suffer, feel love and joy."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Food, World News, News, meat, Vegan, Animals, Australia