No Goats Are Safe in Egyptian Town as Election Nears

Goats are a dwindling breed in the western desert town of Mersa Matrouh, where candidates in Egypt’s parliamentary elections trade them for votes.

The Society for the Protection of Animals says at least 16,000 of them are likely to be slaughtered in the monthlong campaign for the April 6 elections.

Goat meat, rice and mint tea make up the traditional fare when the candidates play host to prospective voters. The protection society has now urged the politicians to spare the bearded ruminants and restrict their hospitality to just the tea.