A video showing a camel falling with two tourists on its back has revived controversy about the cruelty of the camel excursions.
The video shows two frightened tourists frantically unfastening their safety belts and running away from a camel whose legs appear to have buckled and cannot get to its feet again. Meanwhile, the camel in front continues on its way, pulling the fallen camel by the muzzle.
One tourist angrily shouts that the camel could have “f***ing killed us” while handlers try to get the situation under control.
Last summer, the Franz Weber Foundation, which works to promote animal welfare in UNESCO sites, called for an end to camel excursions on Lanzarote and urged authorities to “seek alternatives”.
However, such proposals will be strongly opposed by the camel sector on the island, which maintains the largest herd of camels in Europe and provides employment for around 30 families.