Climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza, or any of Egypt’s 118 pyramids, is strictly prohibited. To get a view of the top, many tourists opt for paragliding or paramotoring tours. However, when one paramotorist took such a tour, he witnessed something entirely unexpected—a dog chasing birds atop the ancient monument.
Alex Lang was flying over the Great Pyramid, the largest of the three in Giza, when he noticed some movement at its summit. In what turned out to be a surprising discovery, he saw a dog casually wandering around the apex of what was once the tallest human-made structure for nearly 4,000 years.
Lang shared footage of the dog with Storyful, showing the animal walking along one of the uppermost tiers of the pyramid. “The dog was barking at birds,” he recalled. The incident, which took place on Monday, October 14, quickly gained traction on Instagram.
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The video’s comments varied, with one saying, “If he [the dog] pees there, all Egypt belongs to him.” Another user humorously remarked, “Not a dog. That is the Egyptian God Anubis. He is considered the guide of the dead in the afterlife and the protector of the tombs. That’s why it is over the pyramid.” A third commenter expressed concern, stating, “I wonder how long it took him. I want him to come down and get some water.”
Whether the dog was eventually rescued remains uncertain. However, given that it is a stray, it’s unlikely the animal would face any legal repercussions for violating rules established by humans.
This unusual incident has also raised questions about the security measures in place at Giza. Some are now scrutinizing the efforts of local authorities to protect and preserve the ancient architectural and archaeological heritage of the Pyramid Age.
Climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza is illegal, carrying a punishment of up to three years in prison. Offenders may also be fined between 10,000 and 100,000 Egyptian pounds.
