ARTICLE: THE WEST AUSTRALIAN FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 2026
Egypt is a land of extraordinary history, culture and beauty. Tourists from around the globe arrive eager to marvel at the pyramids and other ancient wonders.
But too many leave with an indelible image of cruelty: camels and horses beaten, denied water and forced to haul visitors in the blistering desert sun until they collapse.
Growing up in Perth, I never imagined the reality for animals used in the tourist trade. But as CEO of Egypt Equine Aid (EEA), a registered Australian charity providing free veterinary care to Egypt’s working equids since 2014, I have seen first hand the suffering inflicted on horses and camels.
Our team has treated thousands of animals—many of them exploited at sites like the Giza plateau.
Too often they arrive emaciated, dehydrated, or with horrendous wounds from ill-fitting harnesses, saddles and bridles.
Some collapse in our care after years of abuse. Others are so gravely injured that the only compassionate option is euthanasia.
Animals forced into this industry are deprived of everything that is natural to them. Camels are social beings who normally roam freely in herds. As a sign of friendship, they sometimes blow on each other’s faces. At the Giza plateau, they’re tethered, beaten, and dragged.
Horses, who would otherwise graze in meadows and travel long distances with their companions, are instead forced to pull heavy carriages on unforgiving terrain, including the notorious hill between the Sphinx and the pyramids, which leaves many with crippling leg injuries.
Ask yourself: is a brief photo opportunity worth an animal’s lifetime of suffering? Is convenience worth watching a horse collapse in agony, or a camel endure beatings?
At the Birqash Camel Market, I’ve seen animals whipped, tied by their legs, and dragged through the dirt. Camels and horses are routinely worked to the point of collapse, only to be beaten until they stagger back to their feet.
These scenes are not rare—they happen repeatedly. The bodies of those who do not survive are dumped like trash behind the pyramid complex. This is the reality hidden behind the postcard images.
At EEA, we do everything we can for these sensitive, complex beings. From running disease-prevention programs to providing emergency treatments – our advocacy has helped highlight the hazards that make working conditions so dangerous for animals at tourist sites in Egypt.
Yet even with this care, the demand from tourists fuels endless cycles of suffering that veterinary treatment alone cannot stop.But Australian travellers wield enormous power. Money talks—and what you don’t spend on cruelty speaks volumes.
Each time a tourist chooses not to ride a camel or horse, they send a clear message that abuse is not entertainment. Egypt’s magic lies in its monuments, landscapes and people—not in the exploitation of animals.
Australians can admire the pyramids, take photographs, and experience the country’s richness without contributing to the mistreatment of others.
I urge visitors to think carefully about the choices they make on holiday. Ask yourself: is a brief photo opportunity worth an animal’s lifetime of suffering? Is convenience worth watching a horse collapse in agony, or a camel endure beatings?
I’m here because the animals need me, but I long for the day when their exploitation ends and I can return home to Australia knowing they’re safe. Egypt Equine Aid will continue to provide care, advocate for change, and speak for the animals. But lasting progress depends on all of us.
Egypt is a magical place with so much to see and do. But cruelty should never be part of anyone’s vacation. Let’s show the world our kindness and compassion.
Jill Barton is the Co-Founder & CEO of Egypt Equine Aid, and a recipient of the Medal of Order of Australia