It's D-Day for Shambo as courts prepare to decide the sacred bull's fate

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Shambo tested positive for bovine TB during a routine screening in May and was promptly earmarked for slaughter. A groundswell of Hindu opposition sparked a campaign to save him, with protestors at one point threatening to form a protective ring around the sacred creature.

The Fresian bull has been kept in isolation at the Skanda Vale Temple in Llanpumsaint ever since.

Scroll down for more ...

Shambo is blissfully unaware of the proceedings in court today that could decide whether he lives or dies

In court today Shambo's would-be saviours argued that slaughtering him would infringe the Hindu beliefs of his keepers.

Destroying Shambo would be a "particularly extreme affront" to the community and a "serious infringement" of its beliefs, the High Court hearing in Cardiff was told.

Applying for a judicial review, David Anderson QC said: "He is an animal whose slaughter would constitute a violation of deeply-held religious views."

He said studies on other animals, including one on a gorilla, had showed TB could be treated.

As support grew around the world Shambo outlived the date originally set for his demise. A webcam nicknamed Moo Tube was set up to allow fans to see Shambo in a specially constructed shrine, and his plight - as well as the fervour of his protectors - attracted much media attention.

But earlier this month Jane Davidson, the Welsh Assembly Government's Rural Development Minister, confirmed that Shambo had to be slaughtered.

Members of a small Hindu community in west Wales are now hoping the decision to kill the six-year-old bull will be overturned at the Cardiff Civil Justice Centre, where lawyers backed by the British Hindu Forum will argue Shambo's case today.

Father Alex, of the Skanda Vale Temple, said the community believes they have a "very, very good chance" of saving Shambo.

Five members of the temple community, which is home to 20 monks and six nuns, are attending today's hearing. It was not expected to last longer than one day.