A unique tale from Egypt has brought to light not only the misleading quality of numerous viral videos but also the difficulties encountered by stray dogs in Cairo.

Last month, American paraglider Alex Lang soared above the Giza complex close to Cairo, utilizing a motorized backpack and wing to glide over the historic pyramids. While cruising near the 448-foot-tall [Pyramid of Khafre](https://www.britannica.com/place/Khafre-pyramid-Egypt), Lang noticed an extraordinary sight: a dog seated at the peak of the ancient monument. Enchanted by the unusual and charming scene, Lang captured the moment on video.

Upon landing, Lang shared the footage with other paramotorists, including an individual named Marshall Mosher. Per a [report by the *New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/science/dog-pyramid-viral-video.html), Mosher took the video, modified it to make it look like he had filmed it himself, and uploaded it to Instagram—without Lang’s permission. The clip rapidly went viral, garnering over 28 million views and attracting interview requests and financial opportunities for Mosher.

“It’s my video edit, my post, and I’m not obliged by any legal or ethical guidelines to tag him,” Mosher remarked to the *Times*.

Despite Mosher’s questionable behavior, he later distributed a portion of the video’s profits to Lang, who seemed relatively untroubled by the incident.

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### The Tale of the Dog

The dog spotted atop the Pyramid of Khafre, named Apollo, is a stray yet a well-known figure around the Giza complex. Apollo, along with his pack and other stray dogs, roams the vicinity of the pyramids. The [American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation (ACARF)](https://acarf.info/) has been tending to Apollo and his mates for years, supplying food, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering services for most of the animals. Nevertheless, Apollo himself remains unneutered, as noted by the *Times*. Like many strays, Apollo is skittish and frequently escapes to the pinnacle of the pyramid when rescue workers try to catch him.

Stray dogs are a prevalent sight in Egypt, with an estimated population of 15 million. Traditionally, dogs and humans lived in harmony in the region, but perceptions changed drastically in the late 18th century when Napoleon’s forces arrived. The French invaders regarded the dogs as nuisances and began eliminating them through shooting and poisoning. These methods continued well into modern times, although they are now officially prohibited.

Organizations such as ACARF have risen to tackle the stray dog issue, rescuing hundreds of animals and securing them permanent homes globally.

“The community here views street dogs as pests,” Vicki Michelle Brown of ACARF told the *Times*. “Fortunately, strays are increasingly being accepted and receiving grassroots support.”

While Apollo and his pack persist in navigating life on the streets of Cairo, initiatives by groups like ACARF provide hope for a brighter future for Egypt’s stray dogs.