Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk launched on Saturday 26/10/2024 the National Programme for the Care and Protection of Horses, Camels, and Pets at Archaeological Sites.
The event, held before the Great Pyramid of Khufu in the Giza Plateau, marked the first of a series of measures to ensure animal welfare around the country’s archaeological sites,
The programme, which will provide regular veterinary care and vaccinations, aims to cover all archaeological sites in Egypt, including rural areas.
The initiative, part of the broader Bedaya (Beginning) Presidential Initiative, has already launched 850 veterinary caravans across the country serving around 1.34 million livestock nationwide.
Fathy emphasized the importance of treating animals with humanity and prohibiting any abuse. He highlighted the role these animals play in Egypt’s tourism industry.
‘This programme is a testament to our commitment to safeguarding animal welfare across
our archaeological sites,’ he asserted, adding that regular mobile clinics and veterinary units would now operate in key heritage areas.
To ensure the initiative’s success, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities plans to establish a dedicated veterinary unit in the Giza Plateau equipped with doctors and essential facilities for on-site animal care.
Furthermore, a training centre will be set up to educate camel and horse owners on proper animal care practices, promoting awareness and humane treatment.
For his part, Farouk emphasized that all services provided by this program will be free of charge. The program will also extend to key sites such as Nazlet El-Samman, Saqqara, Luxor, Aswan, and villages throughout Egypt and ensure broad access to animal welfare services. The minister also highlighted the importance of comprehensive vaccination programs for livestock nationwide.
During the launch, both ministers spoke with camel and horse owners, who expressed gratitude for the initiative.
Regular meetings w
ill be held with animal owners to address their concerns and foster a collaborative approach toward sustainable tourism practices.
Source: State Information Service Egypt
