A Pharaoh Eagle-Owl (Bubo ascalaphus) exhibited for tourists at Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech reported by Brahim Bakass on 17 April 2016 (photos 1 & 2). Brahim who was displeased by the show sarcastically commented “this is how we apply the laws protecting wildlife”. On 13 May, Halima Bousadik noted that the owl still exhibited at the square (photo 3).
Jemaa el-Fna is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. I would much like most of the activities (storytelling, performances…) practiced there to continue but not the exhibition of wildlife for tourists like this Pharaoh Eagle-Owl or the Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) which are displayed throughout the year at the square. Even a Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) was kept there and exhibited for tourists for almost a year between in 2013 and 2014.
