China's camel tourism sparks outrage after distressed animal forced to stand

A distressing video of a camel at a tourist attraction in China has gone viral, triggering widespread anger over animal welfare in the tourism industry. The incident occurred at Devil City on the Sea in Fuhai county, Xinjiang, where camels are used to transport tourists for photo opportunities. The blogger @yueguangbaibushibai filmed the animal crying out repeatedly while carrying a female tourist. Despite appearing exhausted and kneeling down multiple times, the camel was forced to stand by its owner pulling on its nose rope. The blogger described the camel's cries as 'different'—sad and drained—and said many tourists felt deep sorrow. She later contacted the local government to report the mistreatment.

The video has reignited debate about ethical tourism practices in China, where animals are often used for entertainment and photo ops. Critics argue that such incidents highlight systemic issues in how animals are treated in popular tourist destinations. The camel's physical condition—described as skinny and exhausted—has drawn particular concern. This is not the first time animal welfare in Chinese tourism has made headlines; similar cases involving elephants, bears, and other animals have sparked outrage in the past. The local government's response to the report is still pending, but the public outcry on social media suggests growing awareness and demand for better protections.