Cattle dead after Tasmanian boat trip

Ten cattle have been killed while being shipped from King Island to mainland Tasmania, the state government says.

Authorities are investigating "an incident" which occurred during the boat trip to Devonport overnight Tuesday.

"Ten animals out of the 38 on board the vessel were either deceased on arrival or were put down by Biosecurity officers due to their condition," said a government statement, announcing an investigation into the matter.