Oasis and Camel Association Launch Legal Action Over Animal Abuse Claims
The Chekipa Foundation and the Canary Camel Conservation Association categorically deny the animal‑abuse allegations spread by the Franz Weber Foundation and announce the filing of a criminal complaint for defamation and slander, deeming the campaign against Oasis Wildlife unfounded and defamatory.
Guacimara Cabrera, head of the Chekipa Foundation—an entity linked to Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura—and president of the Canary Camel Association, responded publicly to the accusations disseminated by the Franz Weber Foundation concerning the use of camels in the “Reyes” parades held in Fuerteventura, announcing that legal actions will be pursued.
The Chekipa Foundation says it feels compelled to clarify the facts and categorically refute the claims after the Franz Weber Foundation’s press release alleged episodes of animal mistreatment during the parades. According to the foundation, the statements about alleged blows, abuse, and even possible criminal conduct are “categorically false,” lack any evidential support, and constitute extremely serious accusations.
The foundation stresses that it was solely responsible for the parades organized in the municipalities of Pájara, Puerto del Rosario, and Tuineje. Parades in other municipalities of Fuerteventura were organized by completely independent companies, and the foundation flatly rejects any attempt to attribute events to it that it had no direct or indirect involvement in.
Chekipa asserts that no incident has occurred, no episode of mistreatment has taken place, and no objective evidence—photos, videos, official complaints, or veterinary reports—exists to back the Franz Weber Foundation’s statements. It adds that, had any relevant fact occurred, there would be graphic evidence, administrative actions, or immediate media coverage, none of which have materialized because the alleged facts simply do not exist.
The organization argues that the seriousness of this act lies not only in the falsity of the accusations but also in their public dissemination without verification or proof, fully aware of the reputational damage such claims cause when reproduced in the media. In its view, this is a strategy based on unsubstantiated public accusation, causing harm regardless of the truth.
Regarding the Franz Weber Foundation, Chekipa notes that it was founded in 1975 and is currently chaired by Vera Weber. While originally oriented toward environmental protection, the foundation has, in recent years, shifted toward radical animal‑rights activism, moving away from technical, scientific approaches and dialogue with professional sectors involved.
The Canary Camel Conservation Association adds that the Franz Weber Foundation repeatedly resorts to alleged incidents—whether real or nonexistent—to launch high‑impact media campaigns, ignoring the social, cultural, economic, and conservation realities of the Canary Islands.
“It is profoundly irresponsible for an international organization, detached from our territory and lacking real knowledge of our activity, to launch accusations of such gravity without ever contacting sector professionals or requesting any information,” said Guacimara Cabrera.
Cabrera further argues that these campaigns not only spread misinformation but also attack a regulated, supervised activity essential for the conservation of the Canary camel, an endemic, unique breed currently classified as endangered.
Both the Chekipa Foundation and the Canary Camel Conservation Association emphasize that they have been defending, conserving, and dignifying this species for decades, insisting that any event involving the Canary camel must incorporate environmental education, cultural outreach, strict animal‑welfare standards, and professional veterinary supervision.
They highlight a public, verifiable, and objective track record of over 40 years participating in traditional Canarian camel parades, thousands of events conducted, and zero recorded incidents, all under strict professional handling and animal‑welfare protocols.
Finally, they call on the media to exercise proper fact‑checking before reproducing such serious accusations, noting that journalistic rigor demands verification, evidence, and contextualization of the source and motives behind any claim.
Consequently, the Chekipa Foundation announces it will file a criminal complaint for defamation and slander against the Franz Weber Foundation and any individuals or entities responsible for the damage caused by these unfounded accusations.