EGYPT: GIZA: CAMEL POLICE PATROL THE PYRAMIDS

Описание: (2 Jul 1995) Eng/Arabic/Nat

Cops on camels patrolling the pyramids.

It's a good idea, says the Egyptian Antiquities Organization, and they plan to increase camel forces to guard monuments throughout the country.

Every morning, the camel police of the Giza pyramids march out to
prepare their transport for the day... but these police patrol their
beat using camels, not cars.

And while the camels don't come equipped with sirens, they do manage to make themselves heard. Each police officer brushes his camel, adjusts the saddle and bridle, then mounts up... an easy job if the camel cooperates.

The Giza camel police's job is to patrol the site of the pyramids
and the Sphinx - protecting tourists from tourist hustlers, and the
monuments from thieves.

Archaeology buffs are hailing the force as a success, and point out that camels have many things police cars don't.

SOUNDBITE: Because of the camel drivers here, nothing can be
stolen from Giza. Giza is the only site that you never hear about
any accidents of stolen antiquities, because of the camel, police
camel riders. Because if anything happen, the desert and the sand is
a paved road for the camel. They can run beautifully and they can
catch anything.

SUPERCAPTION: Zahi Hawas, Giza Plateau Egyptian Antiquities Organization

Camels rarely run out of gas either, and their soft feet cause less damage to the monuments than a police car or jeep would.

Hawas says the camel police have worked so well at Giza, they
will be introduced to the nearby site of Saqqara within a couple of
months, and long term plans would have camel police become a fixture
at most Egyptian monuments.

Tourists may be surprised at first to see the camel constables,
but agree they do fit the desert scene.


SOUNDBITE: To me, it's a little bit strange to see the police riding camels, because while in some countries, I've seen them riding horses, not camels. But at the same time, it makes sense.
SUPERCAPTION: Adriane Montoya, Mexican Tourist

The camel police's beat includes this impromptu bazaar at a
panoramic point above the pyramids.

While tourists haggle with souvenir vendors the police give the camels a quick rest.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) : I think of him like a friend, or my son. I won't pressure him on the job, in order to prevent anything bad from happening to the two of us.
SUPERCAPTION: Mohamed Abdul Aziz, Camel policeman

Striding across the desert beneath the towering pyramids, the camels are helping Egypt preserve its past.

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