Animal Welfare Foundation Condemns Use of Camels in Parades
The Franz Weber Foundation has criticised several Fuerteventura councils this Wednesday, including Puerto del Rosario, Tuineje and Pájara, for using camels in their Three Kings parades. The group has labelled the move a capitulation to the publicity interests of the zoo that owns the animals.
Parades Create “Distorted Image” for Children
In a statement, the Foundation argues that the parades ultimately generate a caricatured and distorted image of animals for children, who are the primary audience. It claims the events normalise the idea that camels can be dressed up and used on asphalt routes amidst shouting, noise, and the throwing of sweets. While the zoo park may defend the animals as being “accustomed” to such events, naturalists point out that incidents during parades have been abundant in recent years.
Incidents and a Shift in Public Opinion
The Franz Weber Foundation denounces everything from direct blows to the animals by hired staff to adverse reactions ending in injuries, all within a supposedly festive atmosphere. It adds another argument: animal-free parades have swept across Spain, with the vast majority of towns now renouncing the use of such themes. The Foundation believes the social and political debate on using animals in parades is leaning towards their replacement, while Fuerteventura municipalities insist on their use by appealing to traditions which, in its view, are only modified to suit the supposedly free proposals of a private company.
Negative Impact on Tourism Image Feared
For the organisation, municipalities that include animals in their parades end up creating a negative image, which could impact potential national and international tourism.
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