Pregnant and exhausted under the sun to entertain tourists in Morocco: this pony is now safe (thanks to the mobilization on social media)

A brief shot shared on social media was enough to change the fate of Halima, a female pony exploited for tourist photos in the central square of Meknes, Morocco. The images showed the animal in a clear state of tiredness and stress, forced to remain motionless in the sun to entertain visitors. In a few hours the video went around the web, transforming online indignation into a concrete intervention.

After the images were released, various organizations involved in animal protection took action to remove Halima from that situation. The rescue operation was coordinated by the Jarjeer Mules organisation, which transferred her to a protected shelter, guaranteeing her veterinary care, rest and protection. Far from the chaos of the square, the real conditions of the animal emerged, aggravated by months of forced labor.

The discovery of the pregnancy

Once safe, vets determined that Halima was pregnant, a condition that made her previous exploitation even more serious. A few days after the rescue, the pony gave birth to a healthy foal, confirming that the surgery came at a crucial time. Today mother and baby live together in a controlled environment, away from noise, crowds and pressure.

Enough with the exploitation of animals!

The activist Oksana Romanenko Ozdemir, author of the video that sparked the debate, brought the story to international attention. His complaint did not stop at sharing the images: Ozdemir also promoted a petition asking the Moroccan authorities to ban the commercial use of animals for photography and tourist walks, as well as stricter controls in public areas. You can sign it here.

Halima’s case reopens a broader issue: the boundary between tourism and animal abuse. In many cities, horses, donkeys and ponies are still used as attractions, often without adequate protection. Organizations and activists underline how travellers’ awareness is fundamental to interrupt this system: stopping paying for these activities means reducing their spread. Halima’s story demonstrates that public pressure can produce tangible results. A single video triggered a chain of actions that led not only to the salvation of an animal, but also to the birth of a new life.

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