Exploited and Beaten, then Killed or Sold for Meat

The disturbing video shows camels tethered on ropes only a few feet long, left exposed amid a severe sandstorm, and forced to haul tourists all day in the sweltering heat. One operator was filmed repeatedly beating a tied-up camel with a long stick as the animal struggled to avoid the blows. A ride operator told investigators that camels, who can live up to 40 years, are typically used for around five years, after which time they are killed or sold for meat.

See the Individual

Camels are intelligent, social beings with needs, wants, and interests. When free to roam in their natural habitat, they live in herds and communicate with each other through sounds and body movements. As a sign of friendship, camels will sometimes blow on each other’s faces. But these animals endure a lifetime of misery and suffering in the tourism industry.

Global Pattern of Cruelty

Previous PETA Asia investigations into camel- and horse-riding operations in Egypt found similar abuse: Animals were beaten bloody, forced to carry people in blistering heat without shade or water, and dumped like rubbish or sent to slaughter when they were too old, sick, or injured to be useful. After hearing from PETA entities, Airbnb, Flash Pack, Scott Dunn, Travel Republic, and many other companies agreed to stop promoting animal rides at the pyramids of Giza.

How You Can Help

Tourists who pay for camel rides keep this heartless, inhumane industry in business. Whether it is happening in Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Gran Canaria, Egypt, or anywhere else, camel treks and rides exploit camels. If you’re planning a holiday, please leave animals out of your itinerary.

Take action for animals abused and exploited for tourist rides:

Take Action Now

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