Below is a letter I sent to Petra (info@pra.gov.jo) outlining the undignified mistreatment of animals at the UNESCO site. If you agree that this shouldn’t be happening sign and share this petition to build awareness. Petra had 1 million visitors in 1 year, lets see the next million visitors educated so they say NO to animal cruelty. 

To whom it may concern,

My boyfriend and I recently visited Petra and enjoyed hiking to all the wonderful rock faced buildings. It truly is jaw dropping! However, I also found my jaw dropping for a much less wonderful reason later in the day.

Once the magic started to wear off, I found myself paying more attention to the animals, in particular the donkey’s at Petra. I noticed quite harsh treatment towards them and I was extremely disappointed. Many of the donkey’s are left in the care of children who clearly haven’t been given any restrictions to the way they treat them.

The donkey’s in the care of the children were being subjected to lashings from whips on their necks and head area!! If whips are being used they should only be used to begin movement and not for amusement. Whips should definitely not be used repeatedly to the neck and head area of the animal! Furthermore, I witnessed a child removing one side of the bridle strap and strongly beating the donkey using the thick metal loop at the end! This was so horrific I found myself tearing up and I told him to stop.

Another note, these animals have weight restrictions, donkey’s should only be caring a max of 50kgs (depending on the animals individual weight). So why did I see a surplus of grown adults taking donkey rides... should only be for children!

Before attending I read that there had been a crackdown on the mistreatment of animals and a statement for it to be eradicated. Unfortunately, I saw so much donkey abuse that I wouldn’t recommend others to visit Petra and support it.

I thought I hadn’t contributed to the abuse as I didn’t pay for any animal rides but later found out that a horse ride is included in the ticket price. This is just cruel. The weight a horse can carry in most countries is 10% though I read in Vet Times UK 20% is also acceptable in some countries (Draper. A, 2017). However, I saw a numerous people who were clearly over the weight limit on the back of what visually appeared to be an underfed horse. I only speculate the horses aren’t being fed properly from their soft manure droppings around Petra. I read on Horse Health Products that this may indicate dietary problems, stress or a possible underlying health issue that should be checked by a veterinarian (Eldredge. D, 2018).

I am saddened to see such an extreme amount of mistreatment at Petra, especially considering that a ticket costs more than a days trip to Disney Land. This leads me to the question, where is the money going? Surely after hitting 1 million visitors in 1 year has earned the UNESCO site enough money to care for the animals. I urge you take responsibility and make a change where it is desperately needed. Until I have read positive feedback I will be encouraging people not to visit which is so sad because it really is an extraordinary site.

Basically, what I am demanding is education. Hire leaders who are educated on how to care for the appropriate animals and to teach the locals how to properly care for them. If this isn’t achievable I demand that it is illegal to ride any of the animals due to the extreme cruelty! The locals that are currently “in charge” of the horse rides are not even being payed by Petra even though the cost of the horse ride is included in the ticket price. Also, I assume the locals own their individual horses as we saw them leading the horses back to their homes later in the evening. These locals who, again, rely purely on tips and I assume are not payed a wage. I’m sure this is also frustrating for guests when they assume the horse ride is included but are expected to pay more. To me this seems more than shady. I understand that Petra is a non-for-profit organisation but surely enough money is being profited that some can be funnelled back into the animals. Or at least, the money being made by the animals in the ticket price can be put back to their health and well-being. Please encourage better animal management at this famous archeological site.

Looking forward to seeing change happen,

Jemma