A Charity is Born

Equine welfare in Egypt is a contentious subject. Many living outside of Egypt will see pictures posted by one animal charity or the next, and remark with horror the condition that many of the horses are kept in. As a horse lover in Egypt, it is a brutal reality that never gets any easier. It was the continued abuse and neglect of equines here, along with the mass starvation crisis prompted by the January 25th Revolution, that saw the birth of the Continental Rescue and Rehab.

The journey began with Cleo, a wonderful little grey mare who was first rescued in October. It has taken 6 months, but Cleo is now fully rehabbed and I get the pleasure of beginning her again under saddle next week. Cleo has been adopted already in Hurghada, and can look forward to a quiet life with the Continental.

Cleo

It was not long after Cleo was rescued that Claire Dunkerley and Susan Richards-Benson were drawing attention from other animal activists. In November, the Continental rescued three additional horses, Cinderella, Ali Baba, and Rocky.

Cinderella, photo taken 28th March

Cinderella had been at one of the feed days organized by a Cairo based charity, ESMA, aiming to at least provide little feed for the horses in great need. At the feed day, Cindy went down to the ground from weakness. Claire and I did not actually realise that the mare we rescued was in fact the same horse until a few weeks later. Cindy was spotted being dragged behind a cart, grossly emaciated and with a saddle sore wound stretching half way down her back. There was no question she was in need of immediate help.

Next up was Ali Baba, essentially a walking skeleton. Ali Baba was still being worked. Ali Baba's rags to riches story was made possible by a donation from a couple from Germany who had met Cleo, and asked that if we were able to rescue another horse, to name him Ali Baba and they would cover the cost of purchase. He was so malnourished that 40 percent of his body was missing hair, he was listless, and had problems moving due to the sheer starvation.

Ali Baba on the 17th of February

Rounding out the trio was Rocky, who had also been at the same feed day as Cindy. His story is unique; grossly neglected, he would reach out to bite anyone that came close to him as a means of protecting himself. Rocky is covered in old scars from being branded, beaten, and whipped. He had an abscess in his hoof, that rather than treat his old owner had covered with a metal plate. It caused a massive infection in his leg, and for the better part of two months, he was rendered almost completely lame with poultice after poultice applied to his food to pull the infection out.

Rocky on the 13th of March

With the Continental's herd growing, Claire and I had a talk about where the future would take us. We wanted to ensure that we had the legitimacy that would continue allowing people to support us, and provide the transparency so crucial to the success of any charity. With that, the decision to register as a charity was born.

In the months of bureaucracy that the charity registration took, the Continental acquired two new rescues. First was Chili, rescued in the end of December, who has become the poster boy of the Continental.

Chili's story gripped many people's hearts. He came to us with a leg so swollen, and completely unable to bear any weight on it, not to mention he was covered in wounds and riddled with infection. For the first week, Claire and I debated back and forth on whether the most humane thing to do was to put this little horse to sleep, but his will to live was so strong he answered the question for us himself. Chili's first month with the Continental was very touch and go, and the fans on the page watched with bated breath for each new Chili update. The cost of Chili was covered by generous donations, and he continues to receive sponsorship on a monthly basis.

Chili on the 6th of April

To show you the dramatic difference, this is Chili
2 weeks after his rescue, on the 6th of January

We now know that Chili has an old break in his leg, which has caused a massive infection in the joints of his leg. He has been permanently retired, and his job from now on out will be to teach people about the will to live that horses possess, and the quiet nature that trumps all despite his tremendous suffering.

Rounding out the current herd was Sheba. We were asked to rescue Sheba after she was seen at another feed day. Her eye socket had been broken due to blunt force trauma to her head = translation, she was beaten upside the head. She also had a massive wound alongside her back and was underweight. Sheba, like Rocky, has taken a long time to learn to trust people again. Understandably, she would get very defensive around people and would often reach out to bite. Day by day she is learning to trust again and relax into life with the Continental. Sheba's adopted mum is based in the UK, but we hope will come to see us soon!

Sheba on the 6th of April

As of the 29th of March, Claire Dunkerley, Mohamed Ramadan, and Susan Richards-Benson are the very proud co-founders of charity number 310 in Hurghada, Continental Rescue and Rehab as an officiated and registered charity in Egypt. Plans for the future are well underway, and I hope you will join me in tracking our development as we undertake this new road towards improving equine welfare in Egypt.

There is never any rest for the wicked, and already the Continental has been called on again to help with another horse in a dire situation. I will update here in the next few days about that! To everyone that has watched and supported our work, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our work wouldn't be possible without you. For more information on our rescues or to see the pictures from their first arrival and their progression with us, please like and follow the Continental Rescue and Rehab on facebook. 

Countdown to the Cove

Many who know me are aware that I am absolutely enamoured with dolphins. To the point that I will make you stop the car so I can try and take a picture of them swimming, and squeal excitedly whenever I see a pod. I don't remember when my love for the animals first started, but I do remember the day that my heart broke for the dolphins.

I am an avid proponent of boycotting dolphinariums and such similar programmes. Dolphins do not belong in a pool, they belong in the sea. Animals of such intelligence simply do not do well in what is essentially the equivalent of us living in a room full of mirrors. I've written a few blogs about the dolphinarium in Hurghada (here and here), and what started me on my path to awareness of the plight of dolphins was a powerful documentary 'The Cove.' Watch online for free here.

Where the dolphins belong - in the wild

It's that time of year again, the time of year where countless numbers of dolphins are rounded up and brutally slaughtered in Taiji, Japan. A campaign has been launched on Facebook by animal rights activists around the world, yet there are a meagre 2,400 in attendance. Have we all forgotten? Must The Cove replay every year to incite a few months of outrage, then be allowed to happen again. Have you, Hurghada, forgotten that four of your "beloved dolphinarium" dolphins were brought here as a result of this slaughter? Please, do your part, and share this event and maybe together we can hope to save some innocent lives this September.

Countdown to the Cove:

Around the world, September signals the start of school...yellow school buses, children with new sneakers, lunch boxes and sharpened pencils...

In the small coastal town of Taiji, Japan, September signals the start of something sinister... The annual slaughter of thousands of dolphins.

For the first time ever, in 2010 -2011, Cove Guardian Activists from Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Save Japan Dolphins were in Taiji every single day of the dolphin slaughter, which ran from September to March...yet the tragedy continues...

The activists witnessed day after day, week after week, month after month, as pods of dolphins were hunted and driven into the Cove by fishermen using high-tech gear. Terrified and exhausted, the dolphins were systematically and brutally bludgeoned to death. Dolphin calves swam in their mothers' blood. By the end of the 2010-2011 "drive hunt" season, 850 dolphins were killed in the Cove. Another 171 were sold into captivity after witnessing the murder of their families.

Had they attempted to intervene, the Cove Guardians would have faced jail or deportation, neither of which would have benefitted the cause of raising awareness about the Taiji dolphin slaughter. Instead they harnessed the power of social media and reported the devastation in the Cove to activists all over the world in real time. In turn, these activists made thousands of calls, sent thousands of emails and faxes, and organized protests at Japanese Embassies across the world.

The presence of the Cove Guardians was felt - our voices were heard. The brutal killers of the Taiji Fisheries Union struggled to conceal their savagery behind blue tarps, but they were not successful. The world bore witness to the senseless killing of some of natures most beautiful and intelligent creatures.

Working with the Cove Guardians over a five day period in December, the facebook community Save Misty The Dolphin was able to help secure better captive conditions for a very sick dolphin named Misty, who had been left to die in a backyard pool. Suffering from a lung infection, Misty floated listlessly in blackened water until a non-stop calling campaign forced his captors at Dolphin Base Resort to move the animal to a clean pool and provide better veterinary care for him.

THE KILLING RESUMES ON SEPTEMBER 1st!
As the Countdown to the Cove is underway, we ask you to make a commitment to the vulnerable dolphins of Taiji. Please do what you can on this list to help stop the slaughter:

1. Watch The Cove Documentary and share it with at least one friend

2. Take ACTION - Every time there are dolphins in the Cove, thousands, if not millions, of people all over the world are needed to call, e-mail, and fax Taiji and the Japanese Embassies. Please use our Taiji Urgent Contact List:http://savemistythedolphin.blogspot.com/p/taiji-urgent-contact-list.html

3. Please sign and share our petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-dolphin-slaughter-in-taiji-japan

4. Participate in a protest outside of your Japanese Embassy on September 1st
We have created a separate facebook event: International Day of Protest for the Dolphins of Taiji. Please sign up for the event at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196605907054900

5. Consider volunteering as a Cove Guardian through Sea Shepherd Conservation Society or Save Japan Dolphins

6. Support the Cove Guardian Campaigns of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society or Save Japan Dolphins with a tax deductible gift

ONCE AND FOR ALL
-THIS IS THE YEAR TO END THE SLAUGHTER IN TAIJI! -
PLEASE TAKE ACTION!

Throughout the Taiji Dolphin Slaughter Season, The Save Misty the Dolphin community will bring you daily facebook updates directly from the Cove Guardians - along with specific ways YOU can help. PLEASE become a part of our facebook community and also join our facebook event COUNTDOWN TO THE COVE. The dolphins need you now!

Thank you.

Soi Dog Foundation needs your help!

As any supporter of an NGO will tell you, networking and commitment are key to its survival. With the NGOs that I myself have worked with, it has always been a team of dedicated staff members and volunteers who together will work their utmost to ensure that tangible goals are reached, and real results achieved. This crosses borders; be it human rights, animal rights, development, etc.

In Egypt there are literally hundreds of NGOs working, many of which rely primarily on volunteers and donations to survive. The Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals is one such case; less than 4 months ago a campaign was launched on the social networking page Facebook to raise 25,000 U.S. Dollars for ESMA by "liking" a facebook page.

Countless re-posts by volunteers later, and ESMA did it. Through commitment and tireless efforts, ESMA has secured 25,000 U.S. Now they are joining the fight to save another animal rights group, this time based in Thailand.

Susie Nasser (co-founder of ESMA) sent out an email blast alerting members that the Soi Foundation are in risk of losing their leased land in Thailand on which their shelter is based. They are in desperate need for help.

The Soi Foundation essentially mirrors ESMA's work in Thailand. They work tirelessly to help save animals left abandoned, beaten, neglected, and ignored.

Humphrey, one of the many cases
helped by the Soi Foundation

I went to check out their webpage, and saw some positive news. Similar to the situation with ESMA, the Soi Foundation has been pledged a considerable sum of money, only this time it comes from one of their own benefactors.

"A long time benefactor of Soi Dog has generously offered to match your donation dollar for dollar up to $66,000 (46,000 Euros). What this means is that your donation is doubled! You can help the animals like Pearl & Humphrey through your matching donation towards this goal."

So please, consider making a donation towards the Soi Foundation. We've already proven in Egypt that by working together we CAN make a difference. Let's show Thailand what that really means.

UPDATE: Case of dog thrown from roof

Below is the re-post of the report from ESMA on their progress with the DAs office in Egypt. I am so happy to see this result, it truly is a step forward in the right direction for animal rights in Egypt. In addition to this, the Egyptian Minister of Agriculture has also recently announced that he will implement animal rights legislation in Egypt.

See the full story here.

I have removed some of the names in the report for privacy reasons. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to message me.


The Beginning of “Justice”

On Thursday the 28th of April the following people went to get justice for the dog that got thrown off the roof:

[Names removed for Privacy Reasons]

We entered the “Second 6th of October” police station to file a criminal report against Ahmed Fouad Taye’e and Bahy Sabry Abdelaziz, for torturing a dog and throwing him off a roof.

Suzie Nassar had found the video posted on ESMA’s page by an animal lover who had found it.

We entered the police station at 2:30pm after first meeting up at Hyper 1.

As we walked in we definitely looked odd in that location and people were already staring at us, the first thought that came to our mind was that we were going to get laughed at and taken lightly.

We were met with respect and led to a room where we were going to place the report. A high ranking officer came in, sat at his desk and asked us what the problem was, we told him the story of the dog that was thrown off the roof and introduced Suzie as a founding member of ESMA and a board member, Phaedra Al-Masri as a group member/ supporter /volunteer and acting as translator for Suzie, Ahmed Hesham, a veterinary surgeon, ESMA supporter and also a key witness to the confessions of the boys to the crimes and had gone to the location to meet with them and be shown the roof that the dog had been thrown off, Mahmoud Mounir, corroborative witness who had accompanied Dr. Ahmed Hesham when he met the boys.

We all gave our passports and IDs to the officer who wrote down the nature of the complaint and our personal details and even mentioned that he had met Mona Khalil (ESMA chair person) once before at another police station when she was filing a report against dog poisoning.

We had cds that contained the boys’ admissions and the video of the dog being thrown off the roof.

After he took all the information he walked out of the office and we waited for about half an hour before he walked in again and sent us to the Chief of Police where we gave our statements, first Suzie was asked about the incident, then Ahmed Hesham described his experience with the boys when he met them and how he managed to reach them. We provided the police with the names and addresses of the offenders so that they could be retrieved, we then all signed our statements and expected to be called to the DA’s office the next day as is with most reports.

The Chief of Police surprised us by saying that he had sent for the boys and that we will be heading to the DA’s office in an hour, it was around 4:30pm by then…we were shocked.
The seriousness with which the police officials were taking this matter was unexpected by us at all, as I had mentioned before, we thought that they would take this matter lightly.

As we were walking out we were told that one of the boys had already been retrieved and was in one of the closed offices….we were about to jump for joy!!

We then headed with a police escort to the DA’s office, a 5-minute drive from the police station.

When we arrived, the DA had not arrived yet, it was 5:30pm. By 5:45pm we were introduced to the DA and sitting in his office.

He read the report sent from the police station and we told him the story in detail again. He had his laptop with him so we opened on all the links to all the outraged animal welfare groups and the petition that was being signed. We also showed him the link to our ESMA page on the Facebook and he was shocked by the feedback this awful incident was causing and the damaging of Egypt’s image due to such an act of barbaric cruelty.

He then saw the video, I had to walk out of the room, as I cannot until this day see it or hear it. When I walked back in the room, he looked disgusted and shocked by what he had just seen.

He proceeded to call his superior, he realized that this was not just a case of animal cruelty, but one that was widely publicized abroad, the phone call lasted for not less than half an hour, with the DA spelling out the links of the pages I had shown him on the internet to his superior who was checking them too, he confirmed what we were saying by assuring his superior that he had seen the videos himself.

His superior asked him and in turn he asked Susie whether she had another nationality and she said as I had said at the police station that she had an Egyptian nationality due to marriage to an Egyptian national, he then asked on behalf of his superior (who was still on the phone with him) why she was filing the report with her British passport instead of her Egyptian one and I told him that the chief of police was aware, told and had written down that she had both and did not have a preference as to which she used, and that we thought nothing of it, his superior then asked him for her husband’s name, occupation and address, all were given. He then hung up with his superior.

The DA was so shocked by the video, he even asked Ahmed Hesham and Mahmoud Mounir whether the boys seemed sane or not when they met them and they told him that they were perfectly sane, just indifferent boys with a complete disregard and disrespect for life and mercy.

Our lawyer went on to dictate to the DA article 357 of the Egyptian penal code that states that any premeditated harm or murder or poisoning of a pet is punishable by no more than 6 months in jail and a fine that does not exceed 200 Egyptian pounds. This is an unfamiliar article to most and so the lawyer had brought with him the book of Egyptian penal codes.

It was 7pm by then.

The DA asked us to leave the room and we were escorted to another room where we sat chatting for the first hour, confused for the second hour and quite anxious for the third, no one was telling us anything. The lawyer reassured us that the DA was finishing small cases and getting them out of the way so that he could make time for us, and that he was sure that the matter was snowballing, sure enough, the DA’s secretary walked in to get something from the room we were in and I asked him what was going on, he said that the problem had blown out of proportions and gone all the way up to the Attorney General, who had called a few times.

By 10:30 we were letting our imagination run wild…so many what ifs!!! What if they arrest us?! Why did they ask us so many questions that we felt were unrelated to the case?!!

The DA opened the door and apologized for the delay and said it won’t be long, by then Susie had walked out and came back saying that she suspected that the boys and their parents were there, Nouran walked out and came back and said that there was nothing sinister in regards to us and that she also thinks the boy is there, our lawyer had walked out and said he saw the lawyer of one of the boys in the corridor and overheard him speaking about the “dog issue”.

It was late and Ahmed Hesham needed to leave because he had cases at his clinic, we asked the DA who was standing at our door whether or not the doctor can leave and he said, that he could and that if he needed anything they would call him and ask him to come back. Ahmed Hesham, Mahmoud Mounir and Nouran left, but the DA said that Susie and I were still needed. Colin also stayed…and of course our lawyer.

By 10:45 we were back in the DA’s office and the formal questioning began, he asked Susie and I for our religions so that we could take the oath before testimony, we both stated that we were Muslim and raised our right hand and swore to tell the truth, I swore that I would translate with honesty and good faith.

The questions and answers were all about the incident, we answered thoroughly, stating every single detail, how we found the video, how we got the numbers of the boy “Ameen” who had originally uploaded the video, the day we discovered the video (April 23rd 2011), the day that Ahmed Hesham went to meet “Ameen” the uploaded (April 24th 2011) who led him to the other two. He asked us why Ameen agreed to do that, we told him that he had gotten so many negative comments on his Facebook profile from all over the world that he was ready to hand in the offenders in exchange for protection and that he himself was willing to testify, and that he wanted us to tell the world that he had nothing to do with it.

We left nothing out, we told him of the other two dogs that we had found detained in the boys’ house and how we sent a car with my drivers and Mahmoud Mounir in it to pick up the dogs after Ahmed Hesham had left and called us to tell us that the boys still had other dogs. We told him how one dog ran when the door was opened and how the other could not due to a break in it’s leg and that when we x-rayed the dog we found an older break in it’s hip as well indicating without a doubt that it was thrown more than once from the first floor of the building.

When he asked how she was personally harmed by this incident, she went on to say that we had just started baby steps in improving Egypt’s image in front of the world and on our way to truly improving the state of animal welfare in Egypt after the peaceful protest we organized in front of the Giza Zoo that ended with an invitation from the minister of agriculture to meet with him, and we did the very same day of the protest along with other Animal Rights Organizations in Egypt and that this crime had set us back in a major way internationally due to the widespread of the video all over the internet allowing the entire world to see the atrocities committed against animals in Egypt, not helping the already negative image that had been so prominent in the eyes of the world.

She stated that this had done her harm on both the professional and personal level, that she had suffered tremendously on an emotional level and was traumatized by the incident, as were all the animal lovers of the world.

Susie finished by saying that this cannot go unpunished.

Our lawyer ended the deposition by saying that we demand the application of the law to its full extent.

Then we signed the depositions, exchanged emails with the DA who was polite throughout the questioning, understanding of our position and sincerely promising to not let this matter go unpunished.

He told us that we are now released from the building and that one of the boys was already outside and that his questioning will start straight after we leave. When we asked about the other boy he said that he was on the way. We also asked what would happen after the questioning and he answered by saying that they will wrap up the investigation tonight and wait for the decision of the Attorney general in regards to the legal proceedings of detaining minors.

True enough, as we were leaving the building we saw one of the boys in the corridor seated with two men (it was the boy Bahy who had filmed the crime), he was wearing a baseball hat and looked at the floor as we left.

We had to stop Susie from attacking him.

It was 12:45am when we left.

Latest news today 29/4/11 at 11:49pm.

The boy Bahy Sabry Abdelaziz (the boy who shot the horrendous video) was questioned right after we left, he was handcuffed and sent back to the police station and has been detained until now.

The other boy Ahmed Taye’e (the one who killed the dog) is in hiding and the police are looking for him.
Bahy will appear tomorrow in front of the DA again tomorrow and they will determine whether or not he will be detained for another four days or not.

In all cases, he has now been officially accused and the papers and transcripts will be sent to court to decide on the date of the first hearing.

We have a case!!!

Tomorrow our lawyer is getting the copies of the transcripts from the DA’s office with the official serial numbers, will post as soon as I get them.

This is it for now folks.

We need to start doing something NOW

I am re-posting this note from Tanja Sarwat. It discusses a case of animal cruelty so unnecessary, it highlights how badly Egypt needs animal rights legislation. I am too distraught to write anymore about this.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/351/justice-for-the-dog-that-was-thrown-off-a-roof-in-egypt-we-need-laws-to-protect-animals-and-punish/



A couple of days ago this video of a dog thrown off a roof in egypt was found on the net: WARNING SHOCKING



http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150283540297627&oid=127761593963112&comments



ESMA (egyptian society for mercy with animals) started to investigate. They found the boy responsible on facebook. An undercover animal activist started flirting with him, was added and came to chat with him. Numbers were exchanged so that they could meet.



The number was given to Dr. Ahmed Hesham who promised to keep ringing until he got answer. The boy got terrified by the postings against him on facebook (as his account was made public on the net). So he agreed to meet with Dr. Ahmed Hesham, who offered him protection as long as he could lead the ESMA activists to the boys whose terrible act he had filmed. To excuse himself, the boy answered he just filmed and postet it for "awareness" which of course is a lie. The boy took Dr. Hesham to the precise place where it happened and was recorded committing.



The boy who dragged the dog over the roof said it was because the dog had bitten his brother. And because it was not a "good" dog (not purely bred) !!!!!!!! His friend (the one who shot the video) told him not to throw the dog but he continued saying "No, im bugged".



When asked if the dog was alive he said "Yes, but his teeth were broken. It died 3 weeks ago". When asked why he didnt give the dog away instead of throwing him, he had no answer. He was asked if he had done this before, he smirked saying "yes, but sometimes only from the 1st floor where the animals didnt really get hurt". He confirmed doing it to cats before, too. When asked if he was planning to do it again he said "no". Throughout the interview he was calm and emotionless.



This was on sunday april 24th. Dr. Ahmed Hesham said there were 2 other dogs still with the boys. So much for planning not to do it again! ESMA sent a car with 2 men to the location, to extract the remaining dogs. One of them ran as soon as the door was opened and was not found again. The other one was found with broken legs, unable to run, so it was carried back to the shelter.



These horrible boys spoke with total indifference, unaware that this was punishable. They were ambivalent in their answers and there was no regret.



But now ESMA has concrete evidence and will report the act on wednesday april 27th. They will do it as a large group so they wont be ignored. In the meantime an online petition can be signed to support them. Big media exposure is prepared so that this case wont be without consequences!



Here´s the link to the petition:



http://www.thepetitionsite.com/351/justice-for-the-dog-that-was-thrown-off-a-roof-in-egypt-we-need-laws-to-protect-animals-and-punish/



Thanks for signing & helping!

 

**If you want to see this video, click the link below. WARNING. IT IS GRAPHIC**

 

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150283540297627&oid=127761593963112&comments

 

  

Giza Protest II

Animal rights in Egypt have long been a bone of contention for many that come to visit this country. I remember when I first moved to Egypt, across the street from my bedroom window I could see my neighbours roof. On this roof lived a puppy, permanently tethered and with little to no human contact. My sister and I tried everything to get the dog, including talking to the building's doorman in an attempt to get to the owner, and offer to take the dog off of his hands. Unfortunately, it was a quick lesson in Egyptian animal rights.

The puppy was a purebred boxer, and of course a dog that constitutes a status symbol. Many purebred animals in Egypt are bred repeatedly not out of love for the animal, but out of love for the status symbol that they become.  Owning a pure German Shepherd, or Husky, can be in the minds of many the equivalent to driving a BMW or the newest Mercedes. The thought of actually purchasing an animal as a companion is an alien idea to many dog and cat owners here.

Sadly, the condition of dogs and cats in Egypt are not isolated cases. Zoos throughout the country exhibit some of the more egregious examples of animal cruelty.

On the Alex desert road sits an "animal sanctuary," known as the Lion park. Here, you can walk in and cuddle with lion cubs and tigers, and for the right bidder, even take one home. These animals are kept in small cages, with minimal room to move about, underfed, and evidently lacking adequate veterinary care.

Giza Zoo, located in the bustling city of Cairo, is no exception to this general rule. The zoo has long been the focus of animal rights groups who will point to the violations of animal rights within the zoo. The irony? CITES, the government arm that is meant to regulate animal trade, welfare, and rights, has their main office located within the zoo. Gives you warm fuzzy feelings inside to know that the people who are meant to be helping the animals in this country witness gross neglect on a daily basis, and do little to nothing to prevent it.

My most recent encounter with CITES involved the illegal transport of four bottlenose dolphins into the Hurghada Airport. CITES reported that 3 of these dolphins came from inside the country, and that their papers were all in order. Sources have told me that this couldn't be further from the truth. Of the four dolphins, only one had its papers correct; the other three were illegally smuggled into the country with the full knowledge of CITES officials. Just goes to show, pay a little money into the right pockets, and you can do anything in Egypt. [see more here.]

Dolphins in Hurghada drew the spotlight a few months back when it was uncovered that they were being held in a compound and shut away inside a villa's pool, where they were meant to wait out their quarantine period. 4 dolphins, stuck in a pool with no filtration system, that measured a measly 5 metres x 5 metres. Again, CITES washed their hands of the situation. [See more here.]

The Egyptian Revolution lit a fire in many people, animal rights activists included. This past Saturday, April 16th, a group of Egyptian animal welfare activists banded together to protest the outrageous cruelty witnessed in the Giza Zoo. Consisting of the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA), the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends (ESAF), and the Animal Welfare Awareness Research (AWAR), protesters took to the Giza streets to raise awareness, and try to push the Egyptian government towards finally enacting legislation to help protect animal rights in the country.

Mona Khalil, co-founder of ESMA, told reporters:

“The way Egypt treats animals is a shame. The Giza zoo is a national disgrace, Egypt has become known as a hub of the international illegal trade in wildlife, and the municipal policy of controlling street animal populations by shooting and poisoning is deplorable.

“Pet breeding and pet shops are part of an unregulated and illegitimate industry in which humans exploit animals for commercial gain, yet do not pay taxes or benefit the Egyptian economy.

“At the root of all this is a not only systemic corruption but also policy failure, as Egypt is lacking even the basic animal welfare legislation that would enable the prosecution of violators. Some will say that now is not the time to ask for animal’s rights, when human rights are still being violated. But actually there is no better time, as Egypt is trying to build a more just and humane society for all its inhabitants.” [source]

Protesters were able to get inside the Zoo and snap some photos of the abuse in action. This included allowing people into the Elephant enclosure for a "picture opportunity" (Seen below) until the activists were forced to put their camera's away by the zoo's management. 

What was the aim of this protest? Simply to present to the Giza Zoo management a list of request on how to improve the situation inside the zoo, as well as raise awareness of the plight of animals in Egypt. Susie Nasser, co-founder of ESMA, states that "Management refused to accept the document we wanted to deliver for the changes we want....we had a follow up meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and voiced our demands, there will be follow up meetings with his staff.. We hope we have made leeway!"

We hope so indeed. 

So what's next for these activists? For now, online campaigns and awareness, until a new movement can be organized in the Red Sea. The objective? Bring to people's attention the fact that the four dolphins currently housed in the Makadi Bay dolphinarium were in fact illegally smuggled into this country, and illegally caught from the wild. Activists will work to push people to boycott the dolphinarium, as it is only by ridding them of their revenue that we can hope to effect change. Sadly, there is little that can be done for the four dolphins inside now, but may their tragic story of being caught in the wild and forced to live in degradation in a backyard swimming pool, ending up as slaves for human entertainment serve as a vivid reminder of the atrocities committed within Egypt, all for the sake of seeing a dolphin jump through a hoop. We're on the Red Sea, go and see them in the wild. It's what nature intended.

The elephant enclosure, measuring little more than 6 metres by 25 metres 

This elephant has been chained for 25 years in the Giza Zoo

Before activists were chased off, they were able to capture this image showing
people being allowed into the Elephant Pen for a photo op. Pictured in yellow is
the zoo's "official photographer."

This Camel is kept tethered day and night, because according to zoo officials, it "does not get along with the pony it shares its enclosure with"

Close up of the Camels foot

Bear Cage, and yes, this is the full size. It is common practice for visitors to the
Zoo to feed the bear through the bars, and poke it with sticks

Placards held by the protesters outside the zoo

This image speaks for itself

Appealing to the religious sentiments

Protesters handed out leaflets in traffic advocating animal rights

Protesters braved the heat to spread their message

Representatives of the Animal Welfare organizations pictured with the
Egyptian Minister of Agriculture

Giza Protest I

Just a quick note to keep everyone updated on the recent protests in front of Giza Zoo. The protest was held on Saturday, 16th April, and although did not see as big a turn out as was originally hoped, there were some developments made. Watch for further details in tomorrow's blog.