Cosmetic tampering in dromedary camels at beauty competitions remains inadequately documented. This comprehensive study evaluated 5,365 camels using integrated diagnostic imaging and electromyography to assess tampering prevalence and detection methods. One thousand and ninety-five camels (20.4%) showed cosmetic tampering, predominantly lip stretching, followed by subcutaneous air injection, nasal fillers, elevated testosterone, and lip binding, with less frequent cases of lip filler injection, nostril abscessation, ear cropping, nerve anaesthesia, and hump filler injection. Ultrasonography was the most sensitive diagnostic tool, discriminating normal from manipulated tissues by identifying hypoechoic or anechoic foci. Radiography revealed radiolucent areas in acute cases and soft tissue opacities with calcifications chronically, while CT imaging delineated tissue tearing, oedema, and hyperdense deposits. Infrared thermography showed thermal asymmetry in manipulated regions, and EMG demonstrated progressive muscle activity decline, with near-complete suppression in locally anaesthetised animals. Multimodal imaging combined with electrodiagnostic techniques reliably detected cosmetic tampering, with ultrasonography as the primary diagnostic tool while radiography, CT, infrared thermography, and EMG provided complementary assessment enabling differentiation between recent and chronic manipulations. This multimodal protocol constitutes a comprehensive diagnostic framework, in which each technique targets specific forms of cosmetic tampering, ensuring that the combined application minimises the likelihood of any manipulation or fraudulent practice remaining undetected. These findings highlight significant health and welfare risks, supporting the need for routine screening and regulatory enforcement at camel competitions to detect and regulate such unethical practices.
Like other mammalian species, the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) heart consists of specialised structures responsible for generating and propagating electrical impulses to coordinate myocardial contraction. The electrical conduction system embedded within the atria and ventricles plays a crucial role in regulating cardiac function and ensuring efficient blood circulation in the challenging desert environment. The conduction system is composed of the sinoatrial node (SAN), atrioventricular node (AVN), the bundle of His, the right and left bundle branches, and the Purkinje fibres. These structures work in tandem to maintain a consistent heartbeat, adjusting to physiological demands such as dehydration, prolonged exertion, and temperature extremes. The SAN, often referred to as the heart’s primary pacemaker, initiates electrical impulses that trigger each heartbeat. The AVN delays transmission of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. The bundle of His and its branches facilitate rapid transmission to the Purkinje fibres, ensuring synchronised ventricular contractions. The aim of this review is to describe and synthesise current knowledge on the anatomical, histological, and electrocardiographic (ECG) features of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) heart, with particular emphasis on its specialised conduction system and physiological adaptations that facilitate resilience in arid desert environments.
This study explores the rich oral traditions of the Berhale District in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, focusing specifically on camel-centric proverbs. In this arid landscape, the dromedary camel is not only a biological necessity for survival but also a foundational pillar of cultural identity. Using a purposive sampling approach across 5 kebeles and 90 households, the research collected proverbs in the Afar language, which were subsequently translated into Amharic and English. The results, analysed through narrative synthesis, revealed that these proverbs function as a vital Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) for resilience, conflict resolution and camel management. A key finding of the study is the direct link between oral camel-centric proverbs and practical husbandry, categorised into five thematic areas: (1) Social Status, Wealth and Identity; (2) Intelligence and Navigation; (3) Biological Nature and Psychology; (4) Medicinal and Life-Sustaining Value; and (5) Legal Integrity and Traditional Law. The study concludes that documenting these linguistic treasures is essential for preserving pastoral wisdom. Furthermore, it suggests integrating this indigenous knowledge into modern camel management and regional educational policies to enhance camel productivity and safeguard cultural heritage.
This research documents the indigenous knowledge and material culture used to preserve camel meat in Berhale district. In the lowlands of Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression, the territory where extreme thermal stress makes modern refrigeration nonexistent, the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) remains the primary safeguard against food insecurity for Afar pastoralist communities. Data were gathered from 90 households through multi-stage sampling, utilising structured interviews and focus group sessions to track how raw meat is converted into Muqmad, a long term protein reserve. The study found that Afar elders effectively utilise hurdle technology through a layered defense: solar drying, antimicrobial smoking and sealing the meat in rendered camel tallow. These cultural zero energy techniques keep the meat edible for up to a year, even when outside temperatures exceed 45°C. A critical component of this system is the Xeedho, a specialised wooden vessel that acts as an airtight storage unit to block oxygen and stop the fat from turning rancid. While these methods are essential for surviving seasonal hunger, the local industry is held back by informal trade routes and inconsistent quality measures. I argue for a scientific hybridity approach merging Afar expertise with modern food safety standards like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). By standardising these local methods, Muqmad can be transformed from a local survival food into a high value, clean label export, protecting both Afar heritage and regional food supplies in an increasingly volatile climate.
This study investigates the intersection of dromedary population dynamics and drought intensity in Ethiopia across a 27-year longitudinal timeframe (1995/96-2021/22). By aggregating longitudinal data from the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) and various secondary academic sources, we analysed the correlation between herd fluctuations and historical moisture stress cycles. The findings indicate an unprecedented 700% increase of the national camel herd, which grew from a baseline of 1 million to 8.12 million animals. Although brief population dips were noted in 2009 and 2013, the species demonstrated rapid geometric recovery. A significant demographic skew was observed, with females comprising the majority of the population a result of the selective market off-take of males for the meat trade. Analysis confirms a robust positive correlation between drought severity and population growth. While ruminants suffered 40–60% mortality during extreme shocks (e.g., 2011/12), dromedary populations remained stable. This shift, termed camelisation, represents a deliberate adaptation by herders to utilise the camel as a climate resilient insurance asset. To maximise this strategic resource, we propose a four pillar framework that prioritises technological integration through solar powered cold chain systems for milk value chains, alongside a shift toward veterinary specialisation focused on dromedary specific pathologies. Furthermore, this approach advocates for enhanced financial support by providing credit facilities for species-based herd diversification and emphasises robust environmental governance to protect traditional migratory grazing corridors through formal land use planning.
