If global policymakers are serious about addressing the challenge of climate change and future food security, they must think outside the box.
Camel ensures food security
Let us make the ancient megafauna’s homeland significant again with enormous herbivores, particularly camels. Why especially camels? Camels are food security livestock in the face of climate change, and they represent humanity’s future hopes.
Extinction of megafauna
Human activities triggered the extinction of great herbivores in America and Australia approximately 50,000 and 13,000 years ago, respectively.
The extinction of the majority of the world’s megafauna (often defined as animal species with body weights) happened between the late Pleistocene and the early Holocene, resulting in a global collapse in faunal density and diversity. The extinction had a significant impact on the succession of flora and fauna in ecosystems, as well as the regime shift of previously established animal relationships.
There are already feral large herbivores in both areas, including camels in Australia. Unfortunately, there is an extremely bad management policy for feral camels. Shooting is not management, but rather the loss of a valuable resource. Camels can be handled as a possible source of food security rather than a burden or waste. The camel has evolved dramatically over the last 50 years and now possesses the world’s largest camel herd (approximately 1 million).
The best thriving and sustainable large herbivore—the camel
Aside from camels, America has a diversified array of huge herbivores. The aridlands of both regions can be transformed into a camel paradise, providing a conducive habitat for the extremely valuable and sustainable big herbivores known as camels.
With the help of camels, we can transform this land into a food basket for future generations. It will also benefit ecosystems and reduce the probability of fire hazards.
What is the primary concern—the superbug or a deficiency in natural immunity? In my hypothesis, the greatest issue is not only the superbug but the weakness (narrowing biodiversity and population loss) of a healthy microbiome in our bodies. The continuous overuse of antibiotics shaped the resistant microbes, which are called superbugs.
Antibiotic and drug-resistant “superbugs” have been a long-standing concern among scientists and health professionals. Antibiotics target infection-causing bacteria, but they can also kill beneficial bacteria (the human body has approximately 100 trillion). Superbugs or antimicrobial_resistance (AMR) could kill more than 50 million people worldwide by 2050. Some studies have emphasized the devastating effects of AMR on global health and economies, particularly in South_Asia, South hashtag#America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
For thousands of years, the human body has evolved alongside the microbiome, forming a symbiotic relationship. Such symbiotic relationships maintain our health and safety. This situation is evolving into a complex two-pronged issue, with bad bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics and good bacteria disappearing. What are the solutions? Antibiotics should be completely banned, especially in food production systems (dairy, poultry, cattle, and agricultural production). We ingest antibiotic residues/debris in food and consume it at least three times every day. To overcome this difficulty, we must first evaluate our food production system before moving on to subsequent phases.
Yes, superfoods such as camel milk can conquer the superbug challenge, but why? Because camel milk has a magical microbiota, it can act as a seed for a healthy microbiome (probiotics), fortifying and revitalizing the gut microbiome. A healthy gut environment fosters a strong and crucial interaction with the mind while also providing overall health and happiness to the body. Also, Camel milk contains lactoferrin (the magical microbullets), which destroys infections, especially viral & bacterial attacks, and boosts human health. Camel milk is high in vitamin_C, which is regarded as an anti-infectious nutrient in the human diet.
Because my family is from an agropastoral agricultural community, I have somehow worked in agriculture and animal farming since I was a young child. Having a passion and bond with livestock is unique. In 1992, I enrolled in the graduating program for animal production. As you are aware, the graduate program has set course requirements and topics. Nevertheless, the topics most interested me were policymaking, livestock grazing, genetics and breeds, and food security. I researched feed resources and examined various plants that livestock grazed on during my postgraduate research program. At that time, I was aware of the many plant species and how various livestock species liked them with different intensities. The amazing camels drew my interest in the first place since they are able to thrive in harsh environments and eat plant varieties that other animals ignore. After completing my MSc program, camels became a more interesting subject to me. I decided to carry out more research and learn as much as I could about camels.
Interest in camel milk and PhD Research
I enrolled in a PhD program at the university and began researching various facets of camels. I learned about camels through long walks, hot days, drylands, prickly and thorny/woody vegetation, and the desert. I once more began walking with camels, traveling with nomads, and learning about camels’ importance in camel communities’ lives. I conducted extensive fieldwork on vegetation that the camels find appealing. I learned a great deal about ethnobotany from the elders, and I also gained an understanding of ethnoecology regarding the habitats of the camels.
My Professional Camel Journey
I became even more eager to learn more about camels because of their incredible power and the things they produce, particularly milk. Camel’s milk saved my life from a severe infectious disease. I then shifted my attention to camel milk in an attempt to learn more about its potential for milk production as well as how it might treat complex illnesses and rid the body of toxins. Since the previous 20 years, I’ve been primarily working with camels, particularly milk. I’ve given several seminars throughout the world and shared my knowledge with academics and researchers. Now that I understand the full strength and value of camels, I am certain that they are true food security animals, providing food production in extremely hard climate conditions. The link below will take you to my work and ideas, which I wrote and shared from time to time. I expect to have extremely positive comments from your kind honor.
The CMB is the camel manure ball. They are made in different designs and sizes. They are amazing and rich sources of microorganisms, nutrients (NPK), and moisture for the germination of seeds.
What are the ecological functions of CMB?
The CMB is Mother Earth’s gift that comes from camels. It is a package of seeds containing nutrient-rich components that harbor a wide variety of microorganisms (diverse microbiomes) that enrich the soil and nurture the seed during and after germination for at least 3 months.
How does CMB disperse the seeds? The CMB features a distinctive design and shape. It has up to 37% moisture when fresh. The CMB gets dry in a few days but still sustains some moisture inside the ball to help in the germination and sustenance of the seed.
What type of seeds are spread
The CMB travels great distances, rolling and blowing in the desert with powerful strong winds. Almost all types of seeds (of the plants found in the ecosystem) are hidden in the CMB.
The seeds of plants found in the desert typically have hairs and wings that allow them to fly, but other species, such as Acacia, Prosopis, Zizyphus, etc, have rounder, heavier seeds that are unable to fly and blow with the winds easily. interestingly the trees of such seeds are highly desirable to camels.
The CMB then disperses these seeds since it is lighter and made to roll or fly with the wind more easily. If the camels are kept at an appropriate density, the camel can be a tool in seed dispersal, and soil enrichment.
In conclusion, camel manure (CMB) is an untapped precious resource which is not been properly utilized so far. The visionary and innovative opinion in Gulf countries, especially the UAE can bring silver sliding into the clouds and may find ways to use this precious resource for the agricultural development and nature conservation of the region. Also, the research institutes of the region should come forward to chalk out projects on the exploring true worth of camel dung. For more reading, please click the link. https://arkbiodiv.com/2016/02/02/camels-dungzfrom-waste-to-a-worthwhile-farming-agent
Yes, it is a sign of good management to shear camels and to prevent mange and other skin diseases. Yes, it is hard work, but the camel pastoralists in different parts of the world, especially Great Thar Desert do it communally. Some cameleers shear their camel from a killer camel barber to make it attractive for ceremonies.
Is it easy and feasible?
The large herds and the semi-intensive camel farms (dairy) are a bit difficult at the moment. But I suggest to shear, especially the hump area. The calves must be sheared as they are very prone to ticks and hide in the hump and neck area hiding in the hair. If your camels are well trained and they know the commands of their human colleague, then it is good to sit the camel and shear the dense wool keeping them less susceptible to the tick’s infestation.
There are huge differences in wool quality depending on species, age, and body parts. Dromedary wool is difficult to use in clothing as it is short and scratchy. I think using part of it for mulching is a great idea.
Collection of camel hair is a painstaking task, from gathering the herd, and restraining the camels to shearing and collection and everything in between. This difficult process comes at a cost, and hence will only make economic sense if it’s used in an application that can absorb this high cost.
Does the camel wool shed naturally?
Yes, camel sheds its wool naturally. Camels shed their hair naturally Every year, without fail, between spring and summer. Usually, the camels manage their wool naturally but in semi-intensive care keeping camels in congested environments leads to problems, especially ticks and blood parasites, so shearing helps.
Beautification of camel fur
In Pakistan, especially Sindh and Punjab (The Great Thar desert and adjoining parts), the designs are made on camels. Some days are very important like Eid-ul-Azha) for such activities. The camel barber charges about 15 USD for one camel.
The camel wool is an important product. Among the Old-world camels, the dromedary has mostly coarse wool (tent & rope and Bisht wool), except the camels in very cold areas (having more fine wool, especially the calves). Tent & rope and Bisht wool meaning, the wool is mainly used for making tents, ropes, and Bisht (mostly by nomadic people).
Camel Day Invitation by Alain Farms for Livestock Production
If you are in Alain, it is the best opportunity to visit the Camel Farm and the camel milk processing factory. We have a great event organized by Alain Farms for Livestock Production to celebrate World Camel Day. I invite you to please attend this important event. #camelday
Here are the major ideas I discussed in my discussion at the online seminar held by the Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, concerning camel milk. Although the topic of the conference was camel udder health, I chose to concentrate my discussion on the state and future of camel milk in Pakistan.
Poster of the camel conference in Bahawalpur, Pakistan
The main points of my talk
Pakistan is home to the world’s best dairy camels, such as Brela, Kharani, Lassi, Sindhi, and more
Pakistan has enough camels—above one million
The cameleers’ communities are still interested in the camel profession
Pakistani camels enjoy the highest level of welfare and well-being; they are kept by cameleers as their family members
Pakistani camels still have the facility of grazing; they produce very healthy milk enriched with a diversity of phytochemicals
Awareness about camel milk’s therapeutic power is increasing and many people are shifting to camel milk for health reasons
Some pastoralists move with their lactating camels and sell fresh milk to consumers directly near urban hubs
The camel milk business is mainly run and regulated by woman pastoralists
In some parts of the country, families are adding lactating camels to their family livestock; now you can see she-camels in the barn with cows and buffaloes
Some semi-intensive camel farming (small-scale) is being initiated to produce milk for urban hubs like Karachi and Lahore
Some small organizations are collecting milk from the pastoralists and selling it to consumers
The author, Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar, is speaking at the conference
Investment opportunities and sustainable development
Camel milk channelization: milk collected from the cameleers and safely delivered to the consumer. A clear and safe value chain will bring great success to such projects.
Export of high-yielding camels instead of live camels: instead of selling live lactating/dairy animals, it will be the best choice for many reasons to sell the live embryos of the elite camels for dairy purposes. It will generate jobs at the country level and bring foreign exchange in return for genetic resources (camel embryos). However, such work must be performed under a policy/regulation to protect the proprietary rights of the camel herders as the custodians of the genes. Many farmers in different parts of the world are interested in camel dairy genetics from Pakistan.
Camel as a family dairy animal: We should support and develop the camel as a family dairy animal. It takes little effort and awareness-raising training to convince the livestock keepers to adopt the camel as a family dairy animal. The author has already worked on this idea, and there has already been some success, especially in Balochistan.
No to food export policyand corporate farming: All food items, including camels (live or meat) and camel milk, should not be allowed to be promoted and used as a source of foreign currency earnings. Corporate farming and food exports are not suitable for countries like Pakistan, where ordinary people are facing a food shortage.
Constraints and Challenges
The constraints can be divided into 3 main categories
A. Shrinking grazing areas; sadly, this is a very painful fact about the present situation in the country. The demand for land is very high and there are no regulations to protect the grazing rights of the pastoralists. All government projects, conservation parks, corporate farming, land allotments, etc. are materialized on historical grazing lands. There is no policy or organization to protect their rights.
B. No policy-level support; There is very little or zero support to the pastoralists, small and medium farmers, especially the camel keepers. The issue is not only the grazing land shrinkage but also the lack of support in marketing the camel products.
C. The camel export: Camel is exported illegally; it is not recorded and not regularized, and the middleman is earning the major profit, not the farmers. Nobody knows what is going on. This area needs policy support to help in the controlled export of camels, but the profit should go to the cameleers so that the camel profession further flourishes and develops.
D. Milk Marketing and Channelization: As mentioned above, there is no support for the cameleers at any level in the country. The pastoralists strive at their capacity and level to sell the camel milk. Support in milk channelization will be a great breakthrough in the camel marketing area. I then witnessed 3 very successful camel milk channelization stories in Mongolia, Ethiopia, and Oman, I was the consultant for the projects.
Conclusion
Due to its exceptional ability to withstand weather-related disasters, camels are the greatest option for food security in the event of climate change. Camels are being used by pastoralists in various areas, particularly in Africa, to replace cattle. The camel is the most valuable livestock in Pakistan, which is in the red zone for climate change and needs to meet its food security goals. All that camel keepers need is policy assistance to bolster their industry and lay the groundwork for a sustainable means of subsistence.
Before being crowned one of Arabia’s’ most influential Arabs, Shihab used to wear a lab coat, leading cancer research at DAKO Industries. For 3 years, Shihab tried to develop monoclonal antibodies that can cure cancer, and failed, but it was also during her time as a researcher for the pharmaceutical giant that the Cambridge graduate first struck gold. “One day, a Bedouin man came by my office, and we were talking, and he told me that his daughter was cured because she only drank camel milk,” she recounts. “So I tell my professor, who is also the director of Cambridge University’s Institute of Biotechnology, about the encounter and how I’m curious to know more about the therapeutic properties of camel milk, so he encourages me to study it.”
My friend and fellow camel scientist and herder, Dr. Piers Simpkin, shared a video of his camels painted with fake eyes to protect them from lions. Some of his best camels were hunted by lions this year. According to Piers, it was not his idea, but he saw it on the cattle on a neighboring ranch and did some research on it in Southern Africa.
Looking Forward
I can’t wait for the results and outcomes. I’m in contact with Dr. Piers, as soon as I hear good news, I’ll let you know.
Hoor or Hur breed is good for milk (7–10 liter/day)
Ayden breed (multi-purpose breed)
Gheelab (riding, transportation, and work)
Agawayn is good for milk 4 to 7 kg/day (longer lactation)
Layro (multi-purpose breed with a milk average of 2-4 kg per day
More than 90% of camels are in the pastoral system and the rest the semi-intensive (mainly for milk in the peri-urban regions).
Drought and Disease Tolerance Score (DDTS)
I have worked with traditional livestock breeds in different parts of the world, especially the livestock cradle (Balochistan province of Pakistan). Have documented native livestock breeds based on their qualitative traits such as drought & disease tolerance (DDT), drought & disease tolerance compensatory ability score (DDCS), consumer demand, liveability/survivability, adaptability, mothering ability, etc. The most important and practical qualitative traits are given a score (1-5) as 1 is the lowest/weakest and 5 is the highest/strongest.
Mauritanian camels
There are two “breeds” (?), rather varieties as nobody has studied them: those in the East, where there is some vegetation, and they are tall and heavier than those in the West where the land is more arid and salty. Here they are short and light. People here say that those camels in the East eat too much and need a lot of water, while the Western camels are much more thrifty. Even so, the commercial milk sellers buy camels from the East and feed them and water them here, either together with their small camels if they are camel-owning families, or on their own if they are just business people.
In extensive conditions, nobody knows how much milk the camels yield, since practically all the milk is left for the calf, and growing calves to sell is more important than drinking milk, particularly when there is no alternative feed. In the intensive milking-for-selling conditions close to towns, the camels that get pasture plus feed and enough water yield an average of 3 liters per 24 hours In our experience; It is very hard to get information from herders because they are afraid of the evil eye. That said, some camels yield much more than that, and in Nouakchott, they are milked three times a day and gove more. When asked how much milk a camel can actually yield (an abstract, theoretical question) they all know camels that can give 10 to 12 liters a day.
Sudani camel breeds
As a country, Sudan has reported the largest camel breeds in Africa.
Located among the terrain of the American Southwest, there’s a resilient survivor known as Larrea tridentata, or more commonly, creosote. This remarkable plant has adapted to its harsh environment in fascinating ways. In this blog post, we’ll explore the incredible adaptations and curious facts that make creosote a true desert enigma.
I developed a delicious camel milk cheese with a taste and texture similar to Haloumi. I used a plant to ferment. I placed it in the fridge below 20 degrees Celsius, but for some reason, the fridge switched off, and when I opened it three days later, there were some molds on it. Do you have any ideas concerning the cheese and molds? Please provide your feedback.
Does water cause camel wool to bleed? Does it change color in the water to its native state? In an attempt to wash the camel wool, I put it in a pail with hot water and noticed an odd thing happened: the water turned the same dark brown hue as the Majaheem camel’s wool. The wool has been tightly woven into a blanket that is difficult to separate or arrange. Kindly share your thoughts with me. Crude camel hair contained 15 – 35% sand and dust. It appears the color of the water after the camel hair was drenched may exceptionally well be credited to this dust. I did a test too, earlier this year. And I can confirm what has been mentioned here: no color, mostly dirty water, and little to no lanolin.
The structure of the camel wool
The outer layer of the fingernail skin contains color granules that are dispersed within the medulla, the central area of the fleece fiber (same as in camel fur). More color granules have accumulated in the fiber’s core the darker the hair. Each strand of camel hair, known as the cortex, has some water porosity, yet a camel is kept dry by its resistance to water. My argument is that this water-resistant outer cortex would need to be penetrated if the common camel hair color were to drain.
Camel Wool is Hard to be Carded and Clean Properly
It is exceedingly difficult to thoroughly clean wool. There is a thin layer of cuticles covering every wool strand. Each fiber’s cuticle layer becomes entangled with one another. With the right instruments and equipment, the majority of it can be carded and brushed. However, when the wool has “felted” it is very difficult to do so.
Camel Wool Grease
How fat is camel wool? Sheep wool has a lot of lanolin, which gives the wool its special properties. I have read that camel wool has low amounts of fat, but perhaps this is not correct. it’s correct, camelwool contains very little part of lanolin.
A. Taxonomically, the camelids are divided into 2 genera
Lama and sp. as (L. pacos, L. glama)
Camelus and sp. as (C. dromedarius, C. bactrianus, C. ferus). The ferus is wild
B. We can divide camels into 2 main categories (based on their fiber qualityand purposes of production)
Old-World Camelids (Arabian camel and Bactrian camel): Mainly for work, riding, sport, milk, meat, skin, and fiber. The wool is coarse
New-world camelids (Llama and Alpaca): Meat, wool, work etc. The wool is fine
The Old-worlds Camels’ Wool
Among the Old-world camels, the dromedary has mostly coarse wool (tent & rope and Bisht wool), except the camels in very cold areas (having more fine wool, especially the calves). Tent & rope and Bisht wool meaning, the wool is mainly used for making tents, ropes, and Bisht (mostly by nomadic people).
In this article, my main focus is the Dromedary wool. The main use is making the tents and ropes by the Beduins communities as the camel wool is very strong and doen’t absorb moist, so remain ligheter in weith. Bisht is made from camel wool that is spun and woven into a breathable fabric.
The Bactrian Camel Wool
The Bactrian camel wool is also categorized as fine wool, especially their calves’ wool is tremendously fine. Mongolia is leading in the Bactrian camel wool business and many fabrics are crafted by camel wool. You can read about the important features of the Bactrian camel wool in the following link.
In the dromedary camel in its original habitat (Arabia, Saharan, and Sub-Saharan Africa, Horn of Africa, South Asia, Persia, and Central Asia) sheds its wool naturally at the start of the summer season as the wool grows faster in winter and making a densely woven blanket that is difficult to separate or sort out.
As camels have protective outer coats of coarse fiber (grow up to 15 inches). The fine, shorter fiber of the insulating undercoat (grow up to 1.5–5 inches), is the product generally called camel hair, or camel hair wool, making a dense fur to minimize moisture evaporation from camel body and protecting from the cold waves in winter.
Camel hair beautification and dressing
Different tribes of camel keepers have different cultures related with camels in many different and unique places of the world. Camels’ innate beauty is accentuated in the Indian subcontinent by cutting their hair. The camel’s hair is styled to resemble a stunning work of art on its body. Some camel societies have a tradition of clipping contests wherein skilled weavers create exquisite artwork using the wool of the live camel. In the Great Thar Desert (India and Pakistan), these kinds of civilizations are quite alive. Art of Camel Hair Shearing~The Camels’ Attraction
Unique Idea of Camel Wool Consumption – A Mulching Agent
These days, with so many synthetic products made in China, camel wool’s use as a fabric (tent, rope, and Bisht) is low. In the early summer, a lot of camel wool is strewn out close to the camel farms. In the desert, the organically knitted woolen coat is seen tangled in various shrubs. The country is seeing an increase in tunnel farming, and the necessary organic materials, such as peat, are being imported from other places. This has led to another positive development known as the Modern Food Production Revolution. One of the most crucial steps in reducing water loss and shielding just germinated plants from pests and harsh weather is mulching. The finest material for mulching can be camel wool because it minimizes evapuration, conserves water for the plants, and naturally breaks down over time to give the plants nutrients due to its organic nature. NPK and other vital nutrients for plants are abundant in camel wool. It can shield plants from pests and take the place of synthetic fertilizer.
In order to achieve the best results, camel wool is utilized as a mulching agent in Alain, United Arab Emirates, as seen in the following photos.
Speaking with a camel in Gobi desert, Mongolia. The author is a camelogist, camel lover, advocating camel for life.
Written by: Issa Jeremy Victor, CEO of Camelcoin Project
Today, I want to shine a spotlight on a remarkable individual whose passion and dedication have made a profound impact in the world of camel research and desert ecology — Professor Abdul Raziq Kakar. His work is not just a profession; it’s a journey of love and commitment to these majestic creatures and the harsh yet beautiful desert landscapes they inhabit.
🐪 A Camel Advocate Like No Other 🐪
Professor Kakar, a pioneer in Camelology, has dedicated his life to studying and advocating for camels, unlocking the secrets of their unique adaptations and their critical role in desert ecosystems. His research has opened our eyes to the incredible biodiversity of desert areas, often misunderstood and overlooked.
🌍 Uniting Camel Enthusiasts Worldwide 🌍
But what truly sets Professor Kakar apart is his visionary initiative, Camel4Life. This global network has been instrumental in bringing together camel lovers, researchers, and conservationists. His efforts have created a vibrant community dedicated to understanding and preserving these magnificent animals.
🌱 Champion of Desert Biodiversity 🌱
His work extends beyond camels; Professor Kakar is a staunch advocate for the conservation of desert biodiversity. He has illuminated the intricate balance of life in arid regions, advocating for sustainable practices and the protection of fragile ecosystems.
💡 An Inspiration to Many 💡
To me, Professor Kakar is more than a scientist; he’s an inspiration. His passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment remind us that one person’s efforts can ignite a global movement.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate and learn from his extraordinary journey. His work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.
🔗 Join the Movement 🔗
To learn more about his work and join the global community of camel enthusiasts, check out www.arkbiodiv.com
Here’s to Professor Abdul Raziq Kakar, a true hero in the realms of camel research and desert conservation! 🌵🐫
A: Yes, because of many reasons but a camel for dairy doesn’t mean the monocultural cow dairy model.
Q: What should be the salient features and goals of a dairy camel?
A: There are many characteristics that are considered the best tools to select a camel for dairy purposes.
A female camel with good reproductive performance like first calving (5 years of age), calving interval (2 years), zero or very low abortion rate
A camel owing the dairy characteristics (discussed in many articles)
Thriftiness (but not feed conversion efficiency like in the cow model), in camel farming we provide according to the needs but not as a reward for milk
Mothering ability (the connection with the calf and the presence of the calf) is very crucial for milk production in camels
Efficient milking ability (machine milking ability as well)
Social, friendly, and good in temperament (happy and friendly camels produce in stress-free conditions
Having an average production above 1500 kg per lactation (300 days)
A very typical example of a high-yielding dairy camel. Udder, teats, milk vein, and rib cage of a high-yielding camel. Such signs will help you in selecting a dairy camel. This camel is producing >20 kg per day. The udder conformation (in the following image) tells most of the dairy traits in camels.
Camel milk production is stable in almost all seasons, which is very important for pastoralists when the milk of other animals is seized in the dry period. Camel intake per kg of milk produced is very low, making it an efficient biological model. Understanding the potential of the camel as a milch animal.
As a desert ecologist and camelogist, the hump is the tool, nature gifted to the camels to sustain in challenging climatic conditions. The hump (s) developed when the natural course of climate change started in Asia and Arabia (35000 years before?).
Why Dromedary has single and Bactrian have double humps?
In some regions, there was one climatic challenge (hot dry weather like Arabia), the summer season but the other regions had 2 challenges (extreme cold and extreme hot like Mongolia). Nature gifted one hump for the single challenge (Arabia) and a double hump for the camels surviving in the 2 challenges (Mongolia). Mongolian Bactrian Camel -Breeding, Milk Production, and Lactation Curve
A smart idea
D, if you turn D one step anticlockwise, it will make one hump, making dromedary camel
B, if you turn B one step anticlockwise, it will make 2 humps, making Bactrian camel
Dromedary or single humped camel. Also known as Arabian camel. Double humped Bactrian camel in Mongolia
Q: Does the hump originate in the snowy desert of the sandy desert?
She says “The sediments associated with the fragments suggest this animal’s habitat consisted of forests and peat-bogs. Beaver, horse, bear, rabbit, and tiny deer fossils are also found within about six miles of the site. Though soft tissue-like humps are not ordinarily preserved in the fossil record, the modern camel hump is a fat-filled structure that would have greatly facilitated the survival of this large herbivorous animal through the Arctic winter darkness” https://answersingenesis.org/natural-selection/survival-of-the-fittest/humps-key-to-ancient-camel-arctic-survival/
In the following image, I’m going to tell you about the salient features of the dairy camel. A very typical example of a high-yielding dairy camel. Udder, teats, milk vein, and rib cage of a high-yielding camel. Such signs will help you in selecting a dairy camel. This camel is producing >25 kg per day. The udder conformation tells most of the dairy traits in camels.
Camel is a Sustainable Dairy Animal
Camel milk production is stable in almost all seasons, which is very important for pastoralists when the milk of other animals is seized in the dry period. Camel intake per kg of milk produced is very low, making it an efficient biological model. Understanding the potential of the camel as a milch animal.
A typical healthy and productive dairy camel. Phenotypic traits are very helpful in the selection of camels for milk production. #camel_breedpic.twitter.com/no7oJLqIn9
— Prof. Dr Abdul Raziq Kakar ډاکټر رازق کاکړ (@DrRaziqKakar) October 24, 2023
A beautiful dairy camel
I conducted a comprehensive scientific study (my Ph.D. research program) to chalk out the lactation curve of mobile camel herds in the above-mentioned mountainous region. The study revealed that camel is a potential dairy animal (average milk 10.22 liter/day) with a lactation yield of >3,000 liters. This production was harvested from the camels depending on the natural grazing with good access to water. This yield was gained from a unique eco-friendly, low inputs, free of drugs & antibiotics production system, providing safe milk. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/precious-camel-milk-resource-unappreciated-among-policy-kakar/
Camel was originally domesticated for milk to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the people living in the desert ecosystems. Among many cultures, the camel is a very important animal and highly valued asset, therefore only sick or unproductive camels are sold and slaughtered. The camel as a source of meat is rarely studied and investigated. Though I’m a camel lover and strongly advocate camel milk globally
The Camels are Happy Browsers
I have my own opinion about the salient features of a meat type of camel. Camel meat is as special as their milk because of many reasons. Camel meat is a potential alternative to red meat for human consumption worldwide. Camel meat is nutritionally as good as any conventional meat source, in fact has an edge over beef or lamb due to its low intramuscular fat, low cholesterol content, and high iron content.
Camel meat contains 76–78% moisture, 19% protein, 2.9–3% fat, and 1.2% ash with a dressing percentage of about 55–70% and is thus considered a good source of nutrients. Camel meat is much better than beef in that it has lesser fat than all the other red meats such as beef and mutton. The major fatty acids in camel meat are palmitic (26·0%), oleic (18·9%), and linoleic (12·1%), with smaller amounts of other fatty acids. Among them, Linoleic Acid is essential, and can’t be synthesized in the body. I hereby share some photographs of a camel that I consider to be fulfilling the purposes of a meat type of camel.
A healthy camel with a well developed humpCamel have much more meat in the shoulder and neck regionA meat type of camelWell defined body figures Thigh and hump region of the camel bodyThe main part of camel body
Speaking with a camel in Gobi desert, Mongolia. The author is a camelogist, camel lover, advocating camel for life.
Right now I’m going back home from the desert camel farm. I met by chance at a grazing and roaming camel herd. It is 3 p.m. on 22 June 2023 (World Camel Day), the longest and one of the hottest days of the year. It is 45 C. You can see the camels grazing on highly adapted shrubs/bushes enjoying the challenging weather (absorbing heat now which will dissipate in the night). I’m talking from my car and making a video, already released on the YouTube channel Camelogist.
From the field at the eve of World Camel Day 2023
In 2009, the author conceptualized the idea of a World Camel Day (WCD) to aware people of the importance of camels as food security agents in climate change scenarios. Here is the link to read about the history of World Camel Day.
Why do we choose the date of 22nd June as World Camel Day?
In the original habitat of camel (Arabian Peninsula), 21 June is the longest and hottest day of the year. Camel sustains its performance in such harsh and hostile environments.
Further important reading about the World Camel Day
