SINGAPORE - A number of the 2,200 Australian sheep that arrived on Thursday for this year's Korban rites were found dead on arrival.

The Singapore Mosques Korban Committee (JKMS) said that 174 sheep did not survive the flight. Initial investigations indicate heat stress was the cause of death. Infectious disease was ruled out as all the other sheep passed quarantine. Singapore Airlines Cargo said that it is also investigating the incident.

JKMS said that the Korban rites this year will continue unaffected. Of the affected Australian sheep, 115 will be replaced by Irish lambs at no extra cost. The other 59 will be drawn from a buffer supply.

A total of 2,000 Australian sheep and 1,500 Irish lambs will be supplied to 24 mosques for the sacrificial rites. In the ritual, the animals are slaughtered and the meat is distributed to family, friends, and the poor and needy.