Egypt Bans Cruel Animal Rides At Giza Pyramids After PETA Campaign

24 October 2020

Egypt has been a massive tourist destination, generating nearly 389 billion Egyptian pounds for the GDP in 2018. Being one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, animal rides there have been common for as long as the Megalithic pyramids which stand amidst the Giza Dessert. For centuries, camels were the only means of transport, but now we have evolved past the need for animal exploitation with the availability of modern modes of transportation.

The Tourism Ministry has banned the use of camels, horses and donkeys at all tourist sites around Egypt. Instead, the tourists will be able to use electric cars and buses, as recommended by PETA. An undercover investigation, appeals from nearly 500,000 people, and meetings with government officials with representation from PETA led to the announcement by the Tourism Ministry “to ban animal rides around the Giza pyramids and in the archaeological areas.”

So, what’s wrong with animal rides?

The animals exploited included camels, donkeys and horses who were forced to carry visitors around Egypt’s top tourist sites in the intense desert heat, without any access to food, water, or shade. These animals are regularly beaten, whipped and often collapse to the point of exhaustion.

One worker was caught on camera whipping a horse mercilessly after the animal collapsed in the street. Most of the camels used for rides come from the infamous Birqash Camel Market, where camels are beaten bloody, as documented in PETA’s exposé. The campaign by PETA exposed the controversial treatment of animals. The animal treatment was unjustifiable for tourists. To remediate the maligning image of the tourist destination, the ministry banned animal rides around the popular archaeological sites.

Watch the video that sparked the change.