In this podcast, Editors Emily Rice and Caroline Tucker discuss abuse towards camels and horses in Egypt and Morocco.
In both Egypt and Morocco, camels are often used as tourist attractions, where they are made to carry tourists for long hours in harsh conditions such as extreme heat. These camels may be overworked without sufficient rest, food or water, leading to exhaustion and poor health.
The physical abuse includes hitting or kicking them, using sharp tools to prod or drive them, and applying rough methods to force them to perform. The use of chains or other restrictive equipment that causes discomfort or injury is also common.
Linganore High School (LHS) senior Hayden Turansky has experienced the abuse in person during his vacation to Egypt. His family did not originally plan on riding camels, but seeing how far they would have had to walk changed their minds. It seemed like a scam for money to him; it did not take long for him to see the abuse happening, and it ruined his experience in Egypt.
Combatting camel abuse requires raising awareness, choosing responsible tourism, donating to organizations, advocating for stronger laws, and supporting sustainable alternatives. Every step can help reduce the exploitation of camels and improve their treatment in the long run.
All of our data are from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
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