Lanzarote: Viral video sparks anger over popular activity | world | News

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 riding after publishing a video on Instagram.

The video appears to show the disturbing mistreatment of camels in the popular tourist resort of Lanzarote. It follows the emergence of other similar clips in the past.

The video then went viral, sparking wide distribution and sparking renewed criticism of the animals' welfare.

The charity called it “abusive treatment” that was leading to a “continuous deterioration” of the island’s image, before calling for an immediate ban.

The foundation released a statement after the video received tens of thousands of views, claiming it clearly shows “the inadequate treatment that camels receive in Lanzarote.”

The video appears to show an animal falling to the ground. The workers' response showed behavior that was “far from professionalism or concern for the welfare of the animal,” the statement said.

The Franz Weber Foundation has already submitted a veterinary report in 2021 alleging worrying and recurring incidents related to the animals, their poor living conditions and the strenuous hours of transportation that many of them reportedly endure.

In addition to the alleged treatment of these animals, the deterioration of the island's tourist and public image was also highlighted as a concern after the video surfaced.

Another video went viral in June 2023 when a young camel appeared to collapse under the weight of two adult men in Timanfaya, Spain.

The harrowing video appeared to show the camel being taken from its mother with two adult men sitting on either side.

The video then appeared to show the animal in distress, grunting as its legs gave out before it finally collapsed.

A woman could then be heard off-camera shouting, warning the men not to “do that in front of everyone else or they’ll report us.”

The foundation said these incidents “show the urgent need to stop this activity and how more needs to be done to stop it.”