A Disappointing Turn For Bravo TV & Reality TV Ethics
Those of us who are ethical and compassionate towards animals are used to seeing the mainstream media miss the mark. However, the Caavakushi team has noticed a deeply unsettling trend where high-profile reality TV stars prioritize a curated aesthetic over the lives of sentient beings. Recently, our team has observed more than just the usual ethical lapses; we’ve noticed that Bravo TV & the television industry at large is doubling down on archaic traditions of animal exploitation. But this time it’s coming from the cast of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC)!
In the latest episode the cast of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC), took a trip to Santorini, Greece, is a perfect example of this moral decay. In Season 6, Episode 14, titled “My Big Fat Greek Mother’s Day,” viewers watched as several cast members, including Lisa Barlow, Bronwyn Newport, Mary Cosby, and Angie Katsanevas, participated in what can only be described as a display of animal exploitation.
The Harsh Reality Of The Santorini, Greece Donkey Trade
For those of us animal loving humans, seeing these donkeys forced to climb the gruelling, steep cliffsides of Santorini is nothing short of heart-breaking. These animals are often forced to carry tourists up approximately 580 to 600 stone steps in the blistering Mediterranean heat, which frequently exceeds 40°C in the summer months.
The Caavakushi team has gathered factual data that highlights the severity of this so called tradition. Organizations like The Donkey Sanctuary and PETA have documented that many of these donkeys suffer from:
– Spinal injuries and permanent joint damage from carrying heavy loads.
– Open sores and infections caused by ill-fitting, primitive saddles.
– Extreme exhaustion and dehydration due to a lack of shade, water, and rest between trips.
In 2018, the Greek government even had to pass a law stating that donkeys should not carry any load exceeding 100kg (15st) or one-fifth of their body weight. Yet, enforcement on the ground remains notoriously difficult, and the industry continues to thrive. It’s because influential tourists like the cast of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) who continue to pay for the “experience.”
The Cast Of The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) & Their Ethical Failure
What makes this particularly frustrating is that there is a perfectly functional cable car that has been operating in Fira for decades. It’s fast, efficient, and—crucially—cruelty-free. While cast members like Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, and Heather Gay chose to skip the ride, others jumped at the chance to participate in what they called Greek tradition.
Angie Katsanevas attempted to justify the act by mentioning her father used donkeys in his youth. But as we know, tradition is never a valid excuse for suffering. Even Mary Cosby expressed regret afterward, noting the discomfort of the animals, but the damage was already done. By broadcasting this to millions on Bravo TV in the USA and Hayu.com worldwide, the show essentially provided a free advertisement for an industry that animal welfare groups have been trying to shut down for years.
How To Move Towards A More Compassionate Future
We must be authoritative about this: donkeys are not taxis. They are intelligent, social animals that deserve to live free from the burden of human vanity. The Caavakushi team asserts that influencers and television networks have a responsibility to vet their activities. Supporting donkey slave labour for the sake of a few minutes of footage is an ethical stain. It cannot be washed away with a high production budget.
As a community, we must continue to demand better. Whether it’s questioning why networks are openly endorsing animal cruelty or calling out celebrities for participating in animal abuse. We must remember that our voices are the only thing standing between these animals and their continued exploitation.
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