Rabat – A growing campaign is calling on Marrakech authorities to put an end to the use of animals as tourist attractions, with a new petition targeting practices involving snakes, Barbary macaques, and horse-drawn carriages across the city.
The petition, published on the French platform MyPetition.org and addressed to Marrakech’s municipal council and local authorities, had collected 17,360 signatures at the time of publication.
Behind the campaign is a concern that animals have become part of the city’s tourist spectacle at a cost to their welfare. In Jemaa el-Fna, visitors can encounter snake handlers, and macaques offered up for souvenir photographs.
The petition claims that some snakes remain exposed to Marrakech’s intense summer heat without adequate shade or water, while Barbary macaques spend long hours on leashes as tourists pose with them.
The campaign also puts the spotlight on the horses that pull tourist carriages through Marrakech’s streets. It alleges that some animals work for long periods under the sun with insufficient breaks and inadequate veterinary care. In some cases, the petition says, horses continue to work despite apparent exhaustion or injuries.
Calls for stricter oversight
The petition asks authorities to prohibit the public display and commercial use of snakes and monkeys in Jemaa el-Fna and to remove animals from situations where they face exploitation.
It also proposes that rescued animals receive care at specialized shelters and, where their condition allows, return to suitable natural habitats.
For carriage horses, the campaign seeks compulsory veterinary inspections and clear rules that would prevent injured or exhausted animals from working. It also wants authorities to revoke the licenses of owners who mistreat their animals.
The petition further seeks financial penalties and legal sanctions against those who exploit wild animals in public spaces.
The issue touches on a familiar part of Marrakech’s tourism image. Jemaa el-Fna remains one of Morocco’s most recognizable public squares, where centuries-old traditions, street performances, food stalls, and tourist activity meet every day.
For the petition’s supporters, however, cultural heritage should not serve as a justification for practices that cause animals distress. They want Marrakech to preserve the character of its public spaces without making animal suffering part of the visitor experience.
