An investigation by PETA Asia has documented alleged routine mistreatment of camels used for tourist rides at the edge of the Sahara in Morocco, placing fresh scrutiny on an activity marketed to visitors in destinations including Marrakech, Merzouga and various desert camps.
According to PETA, investigators observed handlers at Moroccan camel ride operations whipping, kicking and forcefully yanking the tails of animals used to carry tourists through the desert. The organisation said camels are typically chained outside with little shelter from extreme heat or sandstorms when not working, spending most of their time tethered alone rather than roaming or interacting with other camels as they would in the wild. PETA cited one instance where an investigator observed a camel running to scratch an itch against a post, only to be pulled back to the spot where it was chained.
PETA frames the core tension of the practice around duration and relief. While a tourist’s ride typically lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, camels used in the trade are reported to work full days under harsh sun and windblown sand while carrying heavy loads. The organisation said a separate investigation documented an operator beating a restrained camel with a stick, and found that some operators muzzle the animals to prevent them from defending themselves.
The alleged mistreatment doesn’t end when the animals can no longer work rides, according to PETA, which said camels are typically used for around five years before being sold at markets for slaughter once deemed unprofitable for tourism. The organisation has previously documented comparable treatment of camels and horses used for rides at tourist sites in Egypt, including at the pyramids of Giza, pressure which it said led companies including Airbnb, Booking.com and Marriott to stop selling animal ride experiences at the site.
PETA is now pushing travel companies to drop camel rides from their offerings entirely, noting that more than 30 travel companies have already confirmed they don’t sell camel rides anywhere in the world. The organisation specifically named GetYourGuide and On The Go Tours as companies it says continue to promote and profit from the activity, and has launched a campaign urging supporters to contact travel companies directly to stop selling camel rides globally.