An animal rights group video shows shocking living conditions of donkeys in Rhodes. Dozens of donkeys on the Greek island are suffering at the hands of the tourism industry as they are used as taxis to haul heavy holidaymakers up steep slopes.
There is a dark reality to donkey tourism on the Greek island of RhodesDozens of donkeys on the idyllic Greek island of Rhodes are suffering at the hands of the tourism industry as they are used as taxis to haul overweight holidaymakers up steep slopes, as local animal activists share harrowing images of the conditions they live in.
In Greece, donkeys have historically been used as a method for transporting goods, as well as the main means of personal transportation around the narrow and steep roads of the islands.Dozens of donkeys on the idyllic Greek island of Rhodes are suffering at the hands of the tourism industry as they are used as taxis to haul heavy holidaymakers up steep slopes
Speaking to the Mail Online about the island's donkey tourism, Alexandra Passaro from Liber Life spoke of the conditions some of Lindos' donkeys live in, explaining that they are forced to wear 'heavy' saddles for hours on end every day in temperatures as hot as 42C. A 2020 video sparked outrage after it showed Lindos donkeys under the scorching sun on a day temperatures peaked at 34C, without a trace of water in their buckets.Some of the donkeys' owners are part of a local association, which Alexandra said her and her group are 'constantly' in conversation with, offering them advice on how to improve the welfare of donkeys and ensure they are equipped with the best care.
In recent years there has been an increase in donkeys suffering spinal injuries, saddle sores and exhaustion. Many of them who become too exhausted to ride are left out to die, according to Peta PETA also claim officials are blocking their campaigns to place signs on buses and taxis reading 'Donkeys Suffer for Tourists. Please Don't Ride Them' Pictured: Tourists ride donkeys on a narrow path
Another commented: 'In Lindos at the moment. Beautiful place. Only thing that lets it down for me is the donkeys. Doesn't seem right'. It comes as the animal rights group accuses the group of being in 'clear breach' of Greek animal welfare laws by 'denying the animals water or a place to cool down' One poster used by Liber Life says: Dear tourist, you came to Greece by a plane, you came to Greece by a boat, you came to Lindos by a car, you came here for holidays. Is it now the time to act all traditional? Donkeys shoudn't be here for your entertainment. Check your privilege. Let them be free.
Claire added that the poor treatment of donkeys 'ruined' her holiday, adding that she 'can't ever go back there because of that'.Wounds can be seen on the donkeys of Santorini, often caused by loose saddles and harnesses 'We understand that its their job...but its not really their job because they are abusing the animals everyday', she told MailOnline.Liber Life Rhodes, an animal rights group on the island, has been sharing posters to make tourists aware of the dark side to donkey tourism
The harrowing video of the mistreated animals showed flies crawling over open sores caused by poorly fitting saddles and a handler striking one of the creatures with a stick and violently yanking at its reins. This came after reports claimed that the donkeys on the picturesque Greek island of Santorini were being crippled by carrying heavy holidaymakers through its hilly terrain.
The legislation came into place following several petitions launched by people concerned for the well-being of the animals, including Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, who highlighted his concerns over the traditional practice in an open letter. Rhodes has reportedly adopted similar measures, with the President of the Lindos Donkey Association Filippos Koliais telling The Greek Reporter that riders over 80 kg are not allowed on the animals.
Animal Action Greece has stated that 'several improvements have been achieved, but there are still many more things that need to change'.
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