For over a century, tourists have flocked to the pyramids of Giza to admire these imposing stone monuments, but at the end of 2024, as theEgypt attracts as many travelers as everSome come for another reason: to catch a glimpse of Apollo, the famous stray dog now nicknamed the “puppy of the pyramids”.

He caused a stir on the web after being filmed in October scaling the Pyramid of Khephren, one of the world’s most famous pyramids, with his alert paws. Seven wonders of the world.

The viral and somewhat unusual video was captured by American paragliding enthusiast Alex Lang and shared online by his friend Marshall Mosher. It shows Apollo fearlessly climbing the 136-metre structure, barking at the birds from the top.

He lives among ancient sites

“He behaved like a king”says Alex Lang. Since this daring ascent, Giza’s stray dogs have become an attraction for visitors, who have discovered that he belonged to a family of dogs living among the ancient sites.

Tourists, like Arkadiusz Jurys from Poland, now visit the pyramids in the hope of catching a glimpse of Apollo and his fellow adventurers. “He climbs up, leans on one of the stones (…), people take photos around him and he watches everyone from the top.”he recounts.

Diego Vega, a tourist from Argentina, also came with the same objective in mind. “These stray dogs have the spirit of the pyramids”he murmurs, stroking one of them: “Getting in touch with them is like getting in touch with the pharaohs”.

Even the guides talk about it

Apollo’s sudden fame has not only delighted tourists: it has also given a boost to the trinket shops on the pyramid plateau.

Oum Basma, 43, who sells souvenirs, claims that her sales have jumped by 20% thanks to the influx of tourists who have come to meet the “dogs of the pyramids.

“We used to see them climbing the pyramids, but we never thought they would become a blessing to us.”she told AFP. Such is their popularity that some guides now talk about them during their tours. “It’s Anubisone of them assured two American tourists, as many began to draw parallels between Apollo and the ancient Egyptian god of the dead, often depicted with a jackal’s head.

“A lot of tourists are young people who are into social networking. So they keep asking us about this dog, and he and his pack have become part of our conversations during tours.”confides guide Sobhi Fakhry.

“Even if many don’t know which one is Apollo, tourists are always happy to be photographed with one of his companions.”he continues.

Eight puppies

A pyramid guard tells of a famous Egyptian TV host who even paid to have his own dog photographed with Apollo.

The three-year-old is one of a litter of eight puppies from a local breed known for its resilience and ability to survive in Egypt’s harsh climate.

Ibrahim el-Bendary, co-founder of the American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation (ACARF), which monitors the pyramid dogs, describes Apollo as the alpha male of the pack.

“He’s incredibly strong and smart, he protects the pack.”he says. His mother, Lika, gave birth to her brood in a crevice of the pyramids. Sadly, many of her puppies fell to their deaths, but Apollo owes his survival to a guard who moved Lika to the foot of the monument.

Veterinary center

Intrigued by the story of the dogs of Giza, Marshall Mosher decided to adopt Anubi, Apollo’s daughter. “I can imagine the bond that will form with her.”he writes on his Instagram account. He adds that Anubi is still in Egypt, where she is receiving treatment to become “strong and healthy”before joining his new master in the United States.

On site, animal protection associations are now working with the government to set up water and food points for these stray dogs. The Minister of Tourism has also announced the forthcoming creation of a permanent veterinary center on the Pyramids plateau to care for the region’s animals, and Pyramids employees will receive training in how to treat them.

Vicki Michelle Brown, co-founder of ACARF, is delighted. “It’s wonderful because it puts the spotlight on the dogs and cats here.”she enthused. “I believe his (Apollo’s) ascent into the pyramids can help all the dogs in Egypt to have a better life.”she says confidently.

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Video – Egypt: surprising images of a dog filmed at the top of the Cheops pyramid

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