Outrage erupts after distressed tourist-carrying camel in China is forced to its feet

A camel was seen crying out continuously while carrying a tourist on its back at a major attraction in China, sparking public outrage.The camel drew significant attention online after a blogger released a video on June 15, showing that the skinny animal was forced to stand despite appearing exhausted while carrying a female tourist who was taking photos, as reported by the news portal The Cover.The incident occurred at Devil City on the Sea in Fuhai county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, northwestern China, where camels are used to transport tourists for photo opportunities near a lake.The incident gained attention on social media after a blogger shared a video of the suffering animal on June 15. Photo: RedNoteThe blogger, who uses the handle @yueguangbaibushibai, stated that although she was standing at a distance from the camel, she could clearly hear its loud cries.“I have heard other camels cry before, but this one sounded different. It was crying sadly and seemed utterly drained,” the blogger expressed on social media.“Every time it tried to stand up, it soon knelt down again from exhaustion. However, its owner forced it to rise by pulling on its nose rope,” she continued.“I and many other tourists felt a deep sense of sorrow for the camel as we listened to its wailing,” the blogger concluded.She later shared that she had contacted the local government to report the mistreatment of the camel.The video, which went viral and garnered 200,000 likes, triggered an outpouring of condemnation directed at the camel’s owner.“It is incredibly cruel to profit from the abuse of animals,” one internet user commented.Witnesses claimed the camel tried to stand several times but collapsed from exhaustion, forcing its owner to pull on its nose rope to get it back on its feet. Photo: RedNote“It’s the first time I have directly felt the pain of an animal. I hope there are laws to protect these poor creatures,” said another.Further Reading“Tourists happily taking photos nearby, oblivious to the camel’s cries for help – it’s truly disheartening,” remarked a third individual.In response to public pressure, the county’s tourism authority issued a statement clarifying the camel’s condition.According to a vet’s diagnosis, the camel had a scrape on one of its legs and was in a state of fatigue. The camel’s owner failed to adhere to regulations regarding the animal’s care, stated the authority.In response to public concern, the county’s tourism authority announced that a veterinarian had identified a scrape on the camel’s leg and noted its fatigue. Photo: RedNote“We have ordered all camel owners to suspend their operations and send the injured camels for treatment. We are requiring the tour site to improve its management practices. Camels must undergo regular physical examinations, and they should be rotated to allow for adequate rest in the future,” the government’s statement read.Tour sites sacrificing animal welfare continue to make headlines in China.In early June, internet users exposed some cormorants at a scenic river zone in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were struggling to reach water as their legs were tightly bound to wooden rafts, leaving them under the scorching sun for hours.