Canary Islands row as viral video sparks anger over popular activity in Lanzarote
Animal rights and sustainable tourism practices in Lanzarote have been up in arms after a viral video of a popular activity was branded "abusive treatment" further causing a ‘continuous deterioration' of the island's image.
A viral video has sparked an outcry for stricter regulations or a complete ban on a popular Spanish tourist activity.
The Franz Weber Foundation has called for an end to camel rides after a video was posted on Instagram.
The video appears to show the worrying mistreatment of camels in the popular tourist spot of Lanzarote. It follows the emergence of other similar clips in the past.
The video has subsequently gone viral causing widespread circulation and reigniting criticism regarding the animals' welfare.
The charity called it "abusive treatment" causing "continuous deterioration" of the island’s image, before calling for an immediate ban.
The foundation released a statement after the video garnered tens of thousands of views, and claimed it clearly shows "the inadequate treatment that camels in Lanzarote receive".
The video seemingly shows one animal falling to the ground. The reaction of the workers displays behaviour "far short of professionalism or concern for the animal’s welfare", the statement read.
Mounting calls for the camel rides to be banned have been raised before by the Franz Weber Foundation, which presented a veterinary report in 2021 alleging concerning and recurring incidents involving the animals, their poor living conditions and the gruelling transport hours many of them reportedly endure.
Alongside the alleged treatment endured by these animals, the island’s declining tourist and public image was also highlighted as a source of concern following the emergence of the video.
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Another video went viral in June 2023 when a young camel was seen seemingly buckling under the weight of two grown men at Timanfaya, Spain.
The distressing video appeared to show the camel taken away from its mother and having two adult men sitting on either side.
The video then appeared to show the animal being in distress, grunting while its legs buckled before it eventually collapsed.
A woman was then heard shouting off-screen warning the men not to "do that in front of everyone or they’ll report us".
The foundation said these incidents "highlight the urgent need to cease this activity and how more needs to be done to stop it".
