If you’ve never seen this before ...
While not a new phenomenon, those of you who have seen this before will need to excuse me for believing that I can’t possibly be the only one who hasn’t until today: We’re talking about robotic jockeys, instead of the more common human variety, riding atop racing camels.
Reuters today is offering a series photos taken by Stephanie McGehee yesterday in Kuwait of such a race, as well as an explanation that reveals the all-too-serious origin of the practice. Here they are at the starting line:
And here’s the Reuters explanation:
Camels ridden by mechanical robots race to the finish during a six kilometer race at the 12th International Camel Race in Kebd February 14, 2012. According to organizers, camel jockeys were replaced by mechanical robots since 2005 due to international pressure because camel owners were found to be involved in human trafficking, buying children from countries like Pakistan and India for their smaller frame and lighter weight to ride on the camels. Since the ban on human jockeys, owners have continued to race their camels, controlling the whip with their remotes as they follow the race trackside in their jeeps. A total of about 500 participants took part in the five day tournament to compete for 65 Toyota Land Cruisers in addition to cash prizes.
They’re off.
And down the stretch they come.
Here’s a Wired story from 2005. And of course there’s a Wikipedia page about it.
And YouTube has all kinds of video clips.
