Will ‘Take Me Out’ Remove Camel Rides From Future Episodes?
Ahead of the upcoming 11th series of Take Me Out, PETA has written to ITV’s director of television, Kevin Lygo, urging him to leave camel rides off the itinerary for the new series. Over the past few years, fans of the show will have seen countless “loved-up” couples jetting off to the “Isle of Fernando’s” – where, as part of the prize experience, they’re often shown riding camels.
Featuring camel rides on Take Me Out suggests to viewers that there’s nothing wrong with using animals for a fleeting thrill – perpetuating their abuse – rather than treating them with the respect they deserve.
What’s Wrong With Camel Rides?
Camels are intelligent, sensitive animals who suffer when forced to give rides to tourists.
PETA Asia eyewitnesses at tourist sites in Egypt, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, saw these regal animals being beaten bloody with sticks by men and children before being sold to the tourism industry. Used for rides in the blistering heat, they were denied access to food, water, and shade. Some were later sold for meat.
Likewise, in Petra, Jordan, a PETA Asia eyewitness saw camels forced to work with fly-infested, open wounds caused when workers pulled hard on their bridles.
What You Can Do for Camels
When on holiday, please don’t ride camels or any other animals. When you book your trip, ask your tour company and hotel whether they promote these rides. If they do, explain why they should stop doing so.
Animals are living, feeling beings who suffer in the tourism industry. They give rides only because they’re forced to under threat of violence. Please urge Egypt’s minister of tourism to end this abuse by banning the use of animals at tourist sites.
