Category: General about camel

General about camel, camel milk, camel meat and other relevant foods from camel origin.

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camel milk Camel Physiology General about camel

Nature Has Engineered Lactoferrin to Protect the Camel’s Udder

The structure of the whole camel lactoferrin. Lactoferricin and lactoferrampin peptides have been highlighted
The structure of the whole camel lactoferrin. Lactoferricin and lactoferrampin peptides have been highlighted

What is Lactoferrin?

Camel milk is well known for its health benefits, especially because of a powerful natural protein called lactoferrin. Many people recognize its role in boosting human immunity and fighting infections. However, an equally important point is often overlooked: nature has designed lactoferrin primarily to protect the camel’s udder itself.

Camels live in harsh desert environments—hot, dry, dusty, and full of microbes. Under such conditions, maintaining strict hygiene, such as washing the udder regularly, is not always possible. To cope with this challenge, nature has equipped the camel mammary gland with strong internal protection. One of the key protective components is lactoferrin. In fact, camel milk contains 10–30 times more lactoferrin than cow milk [1][2], clearly showing its importance in protecting the animal.

Camel milk is delicious and healthy
Camel milk is delicious and healthy

The Structure of the Udder

The camel udder is also structurally unique. Most of the milk is stored in small alveoli (milk-producing units) rather than large cisterns as in cows [3]. Another important feature is that milk let-down mainly occurs when the calf approaches the mother, leading to frequent milk release throughout the day.

While frequent milk let-down keeps the milk fresh and supports calf nutrition, it also increases the chances of bacteria entering the teat canal. This could increase the risk of infections like mastitis. However, nature has already solved this problem. The high concentration of lactoferrin in camel milk acts as a continuous natural antimicrobial shield, protecting the internal lining, tissues, ducts, and cisterns of the udder.

The internal structure of the camel udder
This sketch illustrates the internal structure of the camel udder.

This is one of the key reasons why mastitis is relatively less common in camels compared to other dairy animals [2][3]. The combination of alveolar milk storage, calf-driven milk let-down, and high antimicrobial protection makes the camel udder a naturally efficient and protected system.

At the same time, what protects the camel also benefits humans. When we consume camel milk, we benefit from lactoferrin’s antimicrobial, antiviral, and immune-supporting properties [2][4]. This makes camel milk a functional food with both nutritional and therapeutic value.

A Practical Message for Camel Dairy Systems

Understanding this natural system is important for modern camel dairies. Since milk let-down depends strongly on the calf, it is advisable to allow controlled calf presence during milking. This improves milk flow, reduces stress, and supports udder health. Future camel dairy designs should work with nature, not against it, by integrating calf stimulation into milking systems.

Conclusion

Lactoferrin in camel milk is not just beneficial for human health—it is a natural protective system engineered by evolution. Its high concentration, combined with the unique structure and function of the camel udder, demonstrates how nature has perfectly adapted the camel to produce safe, high-quality milk even under extreme conditions.

References

[1] Konuspayeva, G., Faye, B., & Loiseau, G. (2007).
Camel milk composition and nutritional value.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.03.010

[2] El-Agamy, E. I. (2007).
The challenge of cow milk protein allergy.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224406002290

[3] Ali, A., Baby, B., & Vijayan, R. (2020).
From desert to medicine: A review of camel milk.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7276094/

[4] Dr. Abdul Raziq (Author).
Camel Milk Lactoferrin – Special agent against bacterial infections.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349695089_Camel_Milk_lactoferrin_Special_agent_against_bacterial_infections

[5] Camel4all.info Article.
Researching camel milk as an antiviral agent.
https://camel4all.info/index.php/2020/02/19/researching-camel-milk-as-an-antiviral-agent-in-the-context-of-covid-19/

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General about camel

Camels vs Cows: Superior Mammary Development in Heat-Stressed Regions Makes Camels the Future of Dairy

The internal structure of the camel udder
This sketch illustrates the internal structure of the camel udder.

Camel and the Power of Adaptation

In a warming world where heat stress increasingly limits dairy productivity, camels clearly outperform cattle due to their superior mammary development under extreme environmental conditions. Unlike cows, whose mammary growth and epithelial cell proliferation are significantly compromised by heat stress, camels maintain functional mammary development even under dehydration and high temperatures. Their unique mammary architecture—characterized by extensive alveolar milk storage and oxytocin-dependent milk release—supports sustained lactation in harsh climates. Additionally, the camel’s longer gestation period, approximately 12 months, supports enhanced prenatal development, including stronger mammary tissue formation. Combined with efficient energy and protein metabolism, these traits enable camels to sustain milk production from low-quality feed, making them ideally suited for climate-hit regions where conventional dairy systems struggle.

Camel Better Copes with the Stressful Climatic Conditions

Beyond physiology, camels represent a practical and strategic solution for global food security under climate change. Their inherent resilience allows them to thrive under extensive and low-input systems, where cattle would experience declines in productivity. Unlike cows, camel lactation is less dependent on optimal environmental conditions and can continue even during water scarcity, demonstrating a unique biological adaptation. Furthermore, camel milk is highly nutritious and enriched with antimicrobial proteins such as lactoferrin, offering both health benefits and improved shelf stability. These advantages make camel dairying especially relevant for arid and semi-arid regions, where rising temperatures and water limitations threaten traditional livestock systems. As global warming intensifies, camels emerge not just as an alternative but as a reliable and sustainable dairy species for future generations.

Camel has a unique body shape with a balance and developed udder
Camel has a unique body shape with a balanced and developed udder

Recent Findings Proved the Hypothesis

Recent findings from the Journal of Dairy Science further reinforce this perspective by highlighting the resilience of the camel mammary gland compared with that of bovines. The reviewed article emphasizes that while heat stress reduces mammary cell proliferation and milk yield in cows—and can even induce negative effects across future generations—camels demonstrate evolutionary adaptations that sustain lactation despite environmental stress. Their mammary system, dominated by alveolar storage and adaptive responses to dehydration, allows continued milk production under heat and water stress conditions. These scientific insights confirm that camels possess inherent physiological and cellular mechanisms that protect mammary development, making them more reliable dairy animals in a changing climate. Therefore, integrating camel-based dairy systems is not only a scientific recommendation but a necessity for ensuring long-term food and nutritional security in globally warmed regions.

Sketch of the structure of the camel udder
Sketch of the structure of the camel udder

Reference

Choudhary, R. K., Puniya, A. K., Choudhary, S., Zhao, F.-Q., McFadden, T. B., & Capuco, A. V. (2026).
Effects of environment and management on mammary development in dairy animals.
Journal of Dairy Science.
https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-28142 [Mammary gl…nt article | PDF]

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Camel Milk for Health Camel milk products Camel Physiology Camel Products General about camel

The Incredible Camel: Nature’s Kind Guardian of Health, Livelihoods, and Climate Resilience

camel consuming thorny cactuses in Somali Region of Ethiopia
camel consuming thorny cactuses in Somali Region of Ethiopia

The camel, revered for centuries as Ata Allah—the Gift of God—stands as an enduring symbol of survival, strength, and sustenance. From the golden dunes of Arabia to the arid plains of Africa and Central Asia, this magnificent creature has been an unwavering companion to humankind, offering more than just transport and trade. The camel is a lifeline, a healer, and a provider, deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage, health, and food security of millions.
In an era of climate uncertainty and food scarcity, the camel’s extraordinary adaptability emerges as a beacon of hope. Unlike other livestock, camels thrive where others perish, sustaining communities with their nutrient-rich milk, wholesome meat, and invaluable ecological benefits. Every part of this majestic animal—its milk, meat, urine, and even dung—holds profound significance, making it a true pillar of sustainability.

A Timeless Bond: The Camel in Culture and Tradition
For millennia, camels have shaped the lives of desert nomads, traders, and warriors. Across vast landscapes, they have served as more than mere beasts of burden—they are woven into the very fabric of history, legend, and identity.
Among the Bedouins and pastoral communities, camels are a source of poetry, songs, and proverbs, revered as loyal companions through the harshest terrains. Their bones are carved into jewelry, their dung fuels fires for cooking, and their hide is transformed into shelter and garments. Camels are not just animals; they are custodians of ancient wisdom, symbols of endurance, and testaments to human ingenuity.

Camel Milk: The Elixir of Life
Hailed as white gold in desert cultures, camel milk is a superfood and a natural remedy. With a legacy tracing back to 3500 BC, this nutrient-rich elixir has sustained civilizations for centuries. Unlike cow’s milk, camel milk is uniquely tailored for human health, packed with immune-boosting properties, essential vitamins, and medicinal compounds.
Why is Camel Milk Extraordinary?
A Natural Pharmacy – Rich in lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and antimicrobial agents, camel milk acts as a shield against infections and inflammation.
A Lifeline for Diabetics – The milk contains insulin-like proteins that remain stable in the digestive system, aiding blood sugar regulation.
A Potential Cure for Autoimmune Diseases – Studies suggest its effectiveness in alleviating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
A Boon for Gut Health – With high levels of beneficial probiotics, camel milk plays a crucial role in healing leaky gut syndrome and improving digestion.
A Natural Beauty Secret – Overflowing with Vitamin C (five times more than cow’s milk) and niacin, it enhances skin health, slows aging, and boosts overall vitality.
For children with autism, camel milk has shown promising results in improving cognitive function and behavior. Scientists continue to explore its potential in cancer prevention, owing to its anti-tumor properties.
Even in extreme drought, a camel can produce up to 40 liters of milk daily, proving its unparalleled efficiency in sustaining life in the harshest environments.

Camel Meat: A Forgotten Superfood
Beyond its milk, camel meat is a nutritional powerhouse. Low in cholesterol and high in polyunsaturated fats, it is a heart-friendly alternative to conventional meats. Traditionally consumed by desert dwellers, camel meat is known for its medicinal properties, helping manage conditions like hypertension, hyperacidity, and respiratory ailments.
With increasing global interest in sustainable diets, camel meat is gaining recognition as an eco-friendly protein source—one that requires minimal water and feed compared to conventional livestock.

A Champion of Climate Resilience
As climate change intensifies, bringing droughts and food insecurity, the camel stands resilient. Unlike cattle and sheep, camels possess an unparalleled ability to survive in extreme heat, enduring weeks without water and subsisting on sparse vegetation.
Water Conservation Experts – A camel can drink 190 liters in just 10 minutes, efficiently storing and utilizing every drop.
Low-Input Sustainability – Unlike industrial livestock, camels require minimal feed, thriving on hardy desert shrubs that other animals cannot digest.
A Guardian of Ecosystems – Camels do not overgraze like other livestock, playing a crucial role in maintaining delicate desert ecosystems.
In drought-prone regions, camels provide a sustainable source of nutrition, making them indispensable to food security efforts.

Overcoming Challenges: The Future of Camel-Based Systems
Despite their immense value, camels remain underappreciated in mainstream agriculture and food systems. Disease outbreaks, restrictive policies, and a lack of research have hindered their full potential.
To harness the power of camels in combating food insecurity and climate change, policymakers, researchers, and international organizations must take urgent action:
Invest in camel research – Enhanced studies on camel milk, meat, and disease resistance can unlock new health and agricultural innovations.
Support camel herders – Sustainable policies can empower traditional camel-based livelihoods.
Promote camel-based nutrition – Raising awareness about the health benefits of camel products can drive demand and market expansion.
Organizations such as Camels4Life and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are working to amplify the role of camels in sustainable agriculture. With the right advocacy and investment, camels can serve as a cornerstone of climate adaptation strategies, ensuring a food-secure future for millions.

Conclusion: Embracing the Gift of the Camel
The camel is more than an animal—it is a lifeline, a healer, and a symbol of endurance in an ever-changing world. From the heart of the desert to the halls of scientific research, its significance continues to unfold, offering solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
In an age where sustainability is paramount, it is time to recognize the camel’s unparalleled contributions and embrace its potential for a healthier, more resilient future.
As climate uncertainty looms, the silent hero of the desert stands ready—offering nourishment, medicine, and hope.
Let us honor this divine gift and ensure its legacy thrives for generations to come.

References

Camel milk in nature
Camel milk in nature, Washuk district Balochistan.
  • Raziq, A. (2009). Camel: The Desert’s Gold.
  • FAO. (2013). The Role of Camels in Food Security and Climate Resilience.
  • Raziq, A., & Ludwikowski, M. (2025, February 27). Camel milk: A revolutionary elixir for leaky gut, immune health, and beyond—backed by science. Camel4All. https://camel4all.info/index.php/2025/02/27/camel-milk-a-revolutionary-elixir-for-leaky-gut-immune-health-and-beyond-backed-by-science/
  • Al Ain Camel Research Center. (2020). Camel Milk: A Natural Pharmacy.
  • Camels4Life. (2021). Advocacy for Camel Conservation and Development.
  • Shabo, Y., & Yagil, R. (2005). Camel Milk for Food Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases. Journal of Medicinal Food.
  • Mullaicharam, A. R. (2014). A Review on Medicinal Properties of Camel Milk. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. given in numeric order.
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camel milk General about camel World Camel Day 22 June

Camel Milk and the Future of Sustainable Dairy in Arid Lands

Obesity is one of the challenges in the camel dairying
Obesity is one of the challenges in the camel dairying

On the eve of World Camel Day, 22 June 2026

Sustainable Dairy Livestock

Camels are increasingly recognized as one of the most sustainable dairy animals for the future food system, particularly in arid and climate-stressed regions. Domesticated primarily for milk over 3,000–5,000 years, camels evolved alongside humans in harsh environments, providing a reliable food source when other livestock fail. Their unique physiology enables them to produce milk with minimal water, low-quality forage, and extreme heat stress, making them highly efficient biological converters of marginal resources. Camel milk production remains stable across seasons, unlike other dairy species, ensuring continuous nutrition and income for pastoral communities. Beyond milk, camels contribute to soil health and ecosystem restoration by recycling woody vegetation into nutrient-rich manure, supporting biodiversity and combating desertification.

Camels eating dry wood in the desert, Sharjah UAE
Camel is really a unique and incredible player of the world’s driest and arid ecosystems

Camel Breeds with Tremendous Milk Potential

Among camel populations, dairy potential varies widely, with some breeds standing out as elite milk producers. The top dairy breeds include Brela, Majaheem (Hazmi), Khawarah, and Kharani, known for higher milk yields, better lactation consistency, and adaptability to both traditional and semi-intensive systems. The Brela camel, in particular, is gaining recognition for commercial dairying due to its productivity and manageable temperament.

Brela camel, elite milkline in the camelids

A herd of Brela camels

A second tier of valuable dairy breeds includes Lassi, Sindhi, Marecha (Marrecha), Jaisalmeri, Arvana, and Hur, and others, which may produce moderate milk volumes but excel in resilience, disease tolerance, and survival under low-input systems. These breeds reflect centuries of natural selection and pastoral knowledge. Future breeding strategies should enhance productivity while safeguarding these adaptive traits, ensuring sustainable genetic improvement without compromising ecological balance.

A dairy camel with clear dairy traits
A milking camel with clear dairy traits

Camel is making it to space as a Guaranteed Food Security Animal

Camel dairying is evolving globally through both traditional strength and innovative adaptation. Pastoral systems remain central, offering mobility and efficient use of scarce resources, and in many drought‑affected regions, pastoralists are increasingly replacing cattle with camels due to their superior resilience under recurrent droughts and feed scarcity. A new semi‑market-oriented model is emerging in East and West Africa, where lactating camels are moved closer to peri‑urban areas to supply fresh milk directly to nearby cities, sustaining strong local demand without heavy reliance on cold chains.

Camel is a true and sustainable dairy animal
Camel is a true and sustainable dairy animal

Modern Camel Dairying

Alongside this, the Gulf region demonstrates a contrasting modern trajectory: the UAE, particularly Dubai and Al Ain, hosts some of the world’s most advanced camel dairies with thousands of camels and fully integrated, high‑tech production systems. Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding the sector with companies like Althurath, Noug (Sawani), and other large-scale farms producing and commercializing camel milk under Vision 2030.

Dr. Raziq with the Dairy Camels in Alain
Dr. Raziq with the Dairy Camels in Alain

Globally, modern camel dairying is also gaining momentum beyond the GCC. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan is developing a structured camel dairy industry with enterprises such as Golden Camel Group, along with emerging regional processors supplying both domestic and export markets, especially for milk powder and fermented products like shubat. In China, the camel dairy sector is expanding rapidly, driven by health-conscious consumers and supported by companies like Xinjiang Wangyuan Camel Milk, Nala (Yili Nala Dairy Group), and several Xinjiang-based producers focusing on powder and functional nutrition markets. This diversification shows that camel milk is no longer limited to traditional regions, but is entering global food systems with both pastoral and industrial models contributing simultaneously.

Challenges in modern camel dairying

At the same time, camel dairying faces biological and management-related challenges that need careful consideration. Camels are inherently not suited to intensive farming systems, as they require continuous movement and have evolved to graze on diverse vegetation, including shrubs, trees, and desert flora. Controlled feeding regimes often fail to meet their complex nutritional needs. High-yielding camels, when pushed under intensive systems, face physiological stress due to increased nutrient demand, leading to metabolic and health complications.

Obesity is one of the challenges in the camel dairying
Obesity is one of the challenges in camel dairying

Additionally, camels have a natural adaptation to store energy in the hump, which can predispose them to obesity under continuous feeding conditions, unlike other livestock. Reproductive limitations, particularly high calf mortality, further restrict rapid herd expansion and genetic improvement within farms. These challenges emphasize that future camel dairying must balance productivity with the species’ natural ecology, ensuring systems remain aligned with their evolutionary biology rather than forcing them into conventional intensive dairy models.

Camel makes it possible, how to survive in challenges
Camel makes it possible, how to survive in challenges

For further reading:

History of the World Camel Day

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Camel Confeernce General about camel

One-Day International Camel Conference in CUVAS Bahawalpur

Marrecha camels of Cholistan
Marrecha camels of Cholistan

Ttitle of the Conference

Camel Milk in Pakistan: Exploring Current Potential, Future Prospects, and Research & Investment Opportunities

Introduction:
The one-day international workshop titled “Camel Milk in Pakistan: Exploring Current Potential, Future Prospects, and Research & Investment Opportunities” was successfully held on 17th February, 2025 at Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CUVAS), Bahawalpur, and was proudly sponsored by ELC Biotechnology Ltd. The event brought together experts, researchers, faculty, students, and industry stakeholders to discuss the untapped potential of camel milk in Pakistan and its global significance. With over 70 participants attending in person and additional online registrations, the workshop highlighted the growing interest in this niche yet promising sector. The collaboration between academia, industry, and international experts underscored the importance of camel milk as a sustainable and profitable industry in Pakistan and beyond.

Inaugural Session

SpeakerTopicTime
Registration & Guest Arrival–8:30 AM
Hafiz Muhammad Hassan AliRecitation from the Holy Quran9:30 AM
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mazhar AyazVice Chancellor, CUVAS – Welcome Address/Opening Remarks9:35 AM
Prof. Dr. Faiz-ul HassanDean, FAPT, CUVAS – Brief Introduction of Workshop & Its Goals9:40 AM

Technical Session

SpeakerTopicTime
Prof. Dr. Muhammad YounasIntroduction to Camel Milk and its Nutritional Benefits9:45 AM
Dr. Abdul Raziq KakarHarnessing the Global Potential of Pakistani Camel Milk: Sustainable Production, Local Impact, and Future Growth in the Global Dairy Market10:30 AM
Coffee & Networking Break–11:15 AM
Ilse Kohler RollefsonThe Role of Camel Grazing in Ecosystem Health, Camel Milk Quality, and Strengthening Camel-Keeping Communities11:45 AM
Lunch Break–12:30 PM
Dr. Morteza Bitaraf SaniSarebanyar App and its Utility in Camel Phenotyping & Online Tracing1:30 PM
Dr. Moufida AtiguiCamel Milk Processing: Challenges and Opportunities2:15 PM
Dr. Abdul Raziq KakarFuture of Camel Milk in the Global Food Industry3:30 PM
Concluding Discussion/Recommendations–4:15 PM

Keynote Speakers and Presentations

The workshop featured insightful presentations by renowned experts in the field of camel milk research and production. The keynote speakers and their presentation titles were as follows:

  1. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younas
    “Introduction to Camel Milk and its Nutritional Benefits”
    Dr. Younas, former Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and a founding member of the Camel Association of Pakistan (CAP), delivered an insightful presentation on camel milk’s unique nutritional profile. He highlighted its rich composition of vitamins, minerals, and immune-boosting properties, emphasizing its potential as a functional food to combat malnutrition and improve health. With decades of experience, Dr. Younas has played a pivotal role in advancing camel production research in Pakistan, laying the foundation for the sector’s growth. His work underscores the importance of further research and investment to unlock camel milk’s potential for local and global markets.
  2. Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar “Harnessing the Global Potential of Pakistani Camel Milk: Sustainable Production, Local Impact, and Future Growth in the Global Dairy Market” Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar, a globally recognized camelologist, founder of World Camel Day, and head of the Camel4Life International Thinktank, delivered an inspiring presentation on the sustainable production of camel milk in Pakistan. He highlighted the country’s immense potential, citing its rich camel genetic resources, skilled manpower, and vast grazing lands as key assets for growth. Dr. Kakar emphasized the importance of keeping camel keepers at the forefront of policy-making for camel milk and related production systems, ensuring that profits are equitably shared with these communities. He stressed that empowering camel keepers is essential for sustaining traditional knowledge and practices while driving economic development. He emphasized that camel keepers must retain the right to remain in their traditional settlements and grazing lands, ensuring they have unrestricted and unconditional access to these resources. This access is vital for sustaining their invaluable profession and preserving the ecological balance that camel grazing supports. Dr. Kakar also discussed the ecological benefits of camel farming, such as its low environmental impact and adaptability to arid regions, making it a sustainable alternative to conventional dairy systems. He envisioned Pakistan as a global leader in the camel milk industry, blending ecological sustainability with economic opportunities for rural communities. His visionary insights underscored the need for inclusive policies, research, and investment to unlock the full potential of camel milk for both local and global markets.
  3. Ilse Kohler Rollefson
    “The Role of Camel Grazing in Ecosystem Health, Camel Milk Quality, and Strengthening Camel-Keeping Communities”
    Ilse Kohler Rollefson, a renowned camel advocate and veterinarian from Germany, has dedicated her life to supporting pastoral communities, particularly the Raika camel herders of Rajasthan, India. As a prolific author and a strong global voice for camel conservation, she highlighted the critical role of camel grazing in maintaining ecosystem health, enhancing milk quality, and sustaining pastoral livelihoods. In her talk, she emphasized the rights of camel keepers to access grazing lands and called for policy support to protect these traditional practices. Rollefson argued against factory farming models, advocating instead for an ethical approach that values camels for their ecological contributions and their ability to produce nutrient-rich, functional foods like camel milk. She stressed that supporting camel herding communities is essential for preserving biodiversity, combating desertification, and ensuring the sustainability of this ancient profession. Her insights underscored the need for global recognition of camels as vital to both ecological balance and human well-being.
  4. Dr. Morteza Bitaraf Sani
    “Sarebanyar App and its Utility in Camel Phenotyping & Online Tracing”
    Dr. Morteza Bitaraf Sani, a dynamic animal scientist and a prominent camel figure from Iran, introduced the Sarebanyar App, a groundbreaking technological tool designed to revolutionize camel farming. His work focuses on phenotypic documentation of camels to characterize their genetic potential and improve breeding strategies. The app enables precise camel phenotyping and online traceability, addressing critical issues such as accidents and pilferage in the industry. Dr. Sani emphasized the importance of integrating technology into camel production systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. By leveraging this innovation, he aims to modernize traditional practices while preserving the genetic diversity and economic value of camels. His presentation highlighted the transformative potential of technology in unlocking the full potential of camel farming for future generations.
  5. Dr. Moufida Atigui
    “Recent Advances in Camel Milk Processing”
    Dr. Moufida Atigui, an esteemed academic, researcher, and member of the executive committee of the International Society of Camelid Research and Development (ISOCARD), shared groundbreaking advancements in camel milk processing techniques. Her work primarily focuses on enhancing camel milking efficiency, particularly in herringbone milking parlors, and improving the quality and shelf life of camel milk products. With extensive experience in supervising MPhil and PhD researchers, Dr. Atigui has spearheaded innovations in camel milk value addition and technological advancements in the milking industry. Her presentation highlighted cutting-edge methods for processing camel milk, ensuring it meets global standards while retaining its nutritional integrity. Dr. Atigui emphasized the importance of integrating modern technology with traditional practices to unlock the full potential of camel milk, making it a viable and competitive product in the global dairy market. Her contributions continue to drive progress in camel milk research and its industrial applications..
  6. Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar
    “Future of Camel Milk in the Global Food Industry”
    Dr. Kakar revisited the topic with a forward-looking perspective, discussing the future role of camel milk in the global food market.

Online Participants

The workshop attracted a diverse audience, including faculty, students, researchers, and industry professionals. Notable online participants included:

  1. Muhammad Aqib – MPhil Scholar, UVAS
  2. Kerry Osborne – Camel Publicist and Student, Camel News
  3. Talha Aslam – Student, CUVAS
  4. Muhammad Usman – Lecturer, CUVAS Bahawalpur
  5. Marwa Brahmi – PhD Student, Institut des Régions Arides-Médenine/Institut Supérieur Agronomique Chott Mériem
  6. Hajlaoui – Participant, IRA Médenine
  7. Kerry Osborne – Director, Camel News

About the Host Institution – CUVAS

The workshop was hosted by Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CUVAS), Bahawalpur, a leading public sector university recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. CUVAS is the only university in Southern Punjab dedicated to advancing livestock, poultry, fisheries, and allied sectors. Its mission includes:

  • Exploiting the potential of livestock resources in Cholistan and Southern Punjab.
  • Establishing state-of-the-art facilities for education, research, and innovation in livestock and allied sectors.
  • Undertaking extension activities to benefit communities through knowledge and skilled human resources.
  • Catering to industry needs by producing safe and healthy livestock products for export.

CUVAS comprises 3 faculties, 18 departments, 2 institutes, and 1 teaching hospital, making it a hub for academic and research excellence in the region.

Workshop Outcomes
The workshop successfully achieved its objectives by:

  1. Highlighting the nutritional, economic, and ecological significance of camel milk.
  2. Showcasing technological advancements in camel milk production and processing.
  3. Identifying research and investment opportunities in the camel milk sector.
  4. Strengthening collaborations between academia, industry, and international experts.

Conclusion:
The international workshop served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, underscoring the potential of camel milk as a sustainable and profitable industry in Pakistan. The insights shared by the keynote speakers and the active participation of attendees demonstrated the growing interest in this field. CUVAS, as the host institution, played a pivotal role in facilitating discussions and fostering partnerships for future research and development in the camel milk sector.

This event marks a significant step toward realizing the untapped potential of camel milk in Pakistan and its role in the global dairy market.

Categories
Camel Milk for Health Camel milk products Camel Physiology Camel Products General about camel

The Incredible Camel: Nature’s Kind Guardian of Health, Livelihoods, and Climate Resilience

camel consuming thorny cactuses in Somali Region of Ethiopia
camel consuming thorny cactuses in Somali Region of Ethiopia

The camel, revered for centuries as Ata Allah—the Gift of God—stands as an enduring symbol of survival, strength, and sustenance. From the golden dunes of Arabia to the arid plains of Africa and Central Asia, this magnificent creature has been an unwavering companion to humankind, offering more than just transport and trade. The camel is a lifeline, a healer, and a provider, deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage, health, and food security of millions.
In an era of climate uncertainty and food scarcity, the camel’s extraordinary adaptability emerges as a beacon of hope. Unlike other livestock, camels thrive where others perish, sustaining communities with their nutrient-rich milk, wholesome meat, and invaluable ecological benefits. Every part of this majestic animal—its milk, meat, urine, and even dung—holds profound significance, making it a true pillar of sustainability.

A Timeless Bond: The Camel in Culture and Tradition
For millennia, camels have shaped the lives of desert nomads, traders, and warriors. Across vast landscapes, they have served as more than mere beasts of burden—they are woven into the very fabric of history, legend, and identity.
Among the Bedouins and pastoral communities, camels are a source of poetry, songs, and proverbs, revered as loyal companions through the harshest terrains. Their bones are carved into jewelry, their dung fuels fires for cooking, and their hide is transformed into shelter and garments. Camels are not just animals; they are custodians of ancient wisdom, symbols of endurance, and testaments to human ingenuity.

Camel Milk: The Elixir of Life
Hailed as white gold in desert cultures, camel milk is a superfood and a natural remedy. With a legacy tracing back to 3500 BC, this nutrient-rich elixir has sustained civilizations for centuries. Unlike cow’s milk, camel milk is uniquely tailored for human health, packed with immune-boosting properties, essential vitamins, and medicinal compounds.
Why is Camel Milk Extraordinary?
✔ A Natural Pharmacy – Rich in lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and antimicrobial agents, camel milk acts as a shield against infections and inflammation.
✔ A Lifeline for Diabetics – The milk contains insulin-like proteins that remain stable in the digestive system, aiding blood sugar regulation.
✔ A Potential Cure for Autoimmune Diseases – Studies suggest its effectiveness in alleviating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
✔ A Boon for Gut Health – With high levels of beneficial probiotics, camel milk plays a crucial role in healing leaky gut syndrome and improving digestion.
✔ A Natural Beauty Secret – Overflowing with Vitamin C (five times more than cow’s milk) and niacin, it enhances skin health, slows aging, and boosts overall vitality.
For children with autism, camel milk has shown promising results in improving cognitive function and behavior. Scientists continue to explore its potential in cancer prevention, owing to its anti-tumor properties.
Even in extreme drought, a camel can produce up to 40 liters of milk daily, proving its unparalleled efficiency in sustaining life in the harshest environments.

Camel Meat: A Forgotten Superfood
Beyond its milk, camel meat is a nutritional powerhouse. Low in cholesterol and high in polyunsaturated fats, it is a heart-friendly alternative to conventional meats. Traditionally consumed by desert dwellers, camel meat is known for its medicinal properties, helping manage conditions like hypertension, hyperacidity, and respiratory ailments.
With increasing global interest in sustainable diets, camel meat is gaining recognition as an eco-friendly protein source—one that requires minimal water and feed compared to conventional livestock.

A Champion of Climate Resilience
As climate change intensifies, bringing droughts and food insecurity, the camel stands resilient. Unlike cattle and sheep, camels possess an unparalleled ability to survive in extreme heat, enduring weeks without water and subsisting on sparse vegetation.
✔ Water Conservation Experts – A camel can drink 190 liters in just 10 minutes, efficiently storing and utilizing every drop.
✔ Low-Input Sustainability – Unlike industrial livestock, camels require minimal feed, thriving on hardy desert shrubs that other animals cannot digest.
✔ A Guardian of Ecosystems – Camels do not overgraze like other livestock, playing a crucial role in maintaining delicate desert ecosystems.
In drought-prone regions, camels provide a sustainable source of nutrition, making them indispensable to food security efforts.

Overcoming Challenges: The Future of Camel-Based Systems
Despite their immense value, camels remain underappreciated in mainstream agriculture and food systems. Disease outbreaks, restrictive policies, and lack of research have hindered their full potential.
To harness the power of camels in combating food insecurity and climate change, policymakers, researchers, and international organizations must take urgent action:
✅ Invest in camel research – Enhanced studies on camel milk, meat, and disease resistance can unlock new health and agricultural innovations.
✅ Support camel herders – Sustainable policies can empower traditional camel-based livelihoods.
✅ Promote camel-based nutrition – Raising awareness about the health benefits of camel products can drive demand and market expansion.
Organizations such as Camels4Life and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are working to amplify the role of camels in sustainable agriculture. With the right advocacy and investment, camels can serve as a cornerstone of climate adaptation strategies, ensuring a food-secure future for millions.

Conclusion: Embracing the Gift of the Camel
The camel is more than an animal—it is a lifeline, a healer, and a symbol of endurance in an ever-changing world. From the heart of the desert to the halls of scientific research, its significance continues to unfold, offering solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
In an age where sustainability is paramount, it is time to recognize the camel’s unparalleled contributions and embrace its potential for a healthier, more resilient future.
As climate uncertainty looms, the silent hero of the desert stands ready—offering nourishment, medicine, and hope.
Let us honor this divine gift and ensure its legacy thrives for generations to come.

References

  • Raziq, A. (2009). Camel: The Desert’s Gold.
  • FAO. (2013). The Role of Camels in Food Security and Climate Resilience.
  • Raziq, A., & Ludwikowski, M. (2025, February 27). Camel milk: A revolutionary elixir for leaky gut, immune health, and beyond—backed by science. Camel4All. https://camel4all.info/index.php/2025/02/27/camel-milk-a-revolutionary-elixir-for-leaky-gut-immune-health-and-beyond-backed-by-science/
  • Al Ain Camel Research Center. (2020). Camel Milk: A Natural Pharmacy.
  • Camels4Life. (2021). Advocacy for Camel Conservation and Development.
  • Shabo, Y., & Yagil, R. (2005). Camel Milk for Food Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases. Journal of Medicinal Food.
  • Mullaicharam, A. R. (2014). A Review on Medicinal Properties of Camel Milk. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. given in numeric order.
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General about camel

Should we share camel’s wool?

Shearing camel wool for beauty
Shearing camel wool for beauty

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.

https://arkbiodiv.com/2012/06/01/camel-hair-cut-and-art-competition

Importance of camel’s fur

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).

The Importance and Uses of Camel Wool

Categories
camel milk General about camel

Trends and Potential of Camel Milk in Pakistan

A Group of Brela Camels
Highly Adapted Brela Camel of Pakistan

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
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
Author Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar is speaking to the conference
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 policy and 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.

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General about camel

The Palestinian Scientist who Discovered Camel Milk is a Billion Dollar Beauty Formula

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.”  

For details, please press the link below. 

https://thestartupscene.me/BehindTheStartup/The-Palestinian-Scientist-Who-Discovered-Camel-Milk-Is-a-Billion-Dollar-Beauty-Formula

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General about camel

Painting Fake Eyes on Camels to Protect from Predators

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Fake Eye Painting Helps in Scaring Predators Away

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.

Please enrich my work with your feedback.

Categories
Camel in Middle East and Africa Camel milk demand in Africa Disease and Drought Tolerance in camels General about camel

Camel Breeds in Africa

SRE, Ethiopian breed

  • 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.

Jenani, Rashaidi, Anaf, Bishari, Butana, Kabbashi, Mananish

Here is a link to an article; https://www.lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd23/4/isha23099.htm

Categories
General about camel

creosote bush in North America can guarentee camel food

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.
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Camel Milk Cheese General about camel

Reasons of Molds Production on Cheese

Molds developed on camel milk cheese
Molds developed on camel milk cheese

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.

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General about camel

The Importance and Uses of Camel Wool

Bisht made of dromedary camel wool
Bisht made of dromedary camel wool

Camel’s types and wool

A. Taxonomically, the camelids are divided into 2 genera

  1. Lama and sp. as (L. pacos, L. glama)
  2. 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 quality and purposes of production)

  1. Old-World Camelids (Arabian camel and Bactrian camel): Mainly for work, riding, sport, milk, meat, skin, and fiber. The wool is coarse
  2. 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.

Both Bishts are made from the camel wool. The Bishts were gifted to us by Saudi givernement in King Abdulaziz camel festival in Rimah Riyadh.

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.

Bactrian Camel Wool Production

Fabric made of the Bactrian camel wool in Mongolia

The Dromedary Camel Wool

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 wool is densely mangeled, resulting in a coarse fur that is difficult to separate
Camel wool is densely mangeled, resulting in a coarse fur that is difficult to separate

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.

Categories
Camel Physiology Dairy camels breed General about camel

The Diary Traits of Camel

A dairy camel with clear dairy traits
A milking camel with clear dairy traits

Q: Can a camel be a dairy animal?

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)
  • Having a lactation of more than 8 months

Camel is a very good dairy animal in many ways, an efficient biological machine, highly adapted to climate change, and produces milk in extreme weather. https://camel4all.info/index.php/2023/11/16/the-charecteristcs-of-a-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 >20 kg per day. The udder conformation (in the following image) tells most of the dairy traits in camels.

Maximum of the dairy traits can be seen in this image. Camel is an effecient and true dairy animal.

Coordinated body parts, clearly defined organs, healthy coat, barrel shape thoracic region, spacy belly, medium-sized hump, and shining body coats are the salient features of a dairy camel. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/216145752_Camel_a_potential_dairy_animal_in_difficult_environments

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.

Categories
Camel Physiology General about camel

Does the Camel Hump Originated in the Snowy or Sandy Ecosystem?

Camel hump is a treasure of energy
Camel hump is a treasure of energy

My understanding of the origin of the hump

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
Dromedary or single humped camel. Also known as Arabian camel.
Double humped Bactrian camel in Mongolia
Double humped Bactrian camel in Mongolia

Q: Does the hump originate in the snowy desert of the sandy desert?

According to Natalia Rybczynski, https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-rybczynski-548a8845/, their iconic hump(s), containing fat, also may have been adaptive. As seen in high-latitude ungulates today, fat deposits could have been critically important for allowing populations to survive and reproduce in harsh climates characterized by 6-month long, cold, winters. She has revealed from the fossils study that the camels had hump in the ancient times. https://answersingenesis.org/natural-selection/survival-of-the-fittest/humps-key-to-ancient-camel-arctic-survival/

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/

Further reading

Categories
Dairy camels breed General about camel

The Charecteristcs of a Dairy Camel

Arvana dairy camel in Uzbekistan
Arvana dairy camel in Uzbekistan

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.

A picture of dairy camel, showing the charecteristics of a good milking camel.

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 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/

Udder, milk vein, belly and skin can tell the charecteristics of dairy camel.

The camel milk is getting appreciation from the different spheres of life. https://camel4milk.wordpress.com/tag/camel-dairy/

Categories
Camel Meat General about camel

The Salient Features of a Meat Type of Camel

The double muscle in thigh area of camel body
The double muscle in thigh area of camel body

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 love Tree Vegetation
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 hump
Camel have much more meat in the shoulder and neck region
A meat type of camel
Well defined body figures
Thigh and hump region of the camel body
The main part of camel body
Categories
General about camel World Camel Day 22 June

The hottest and challenging day is a camel day

Author with a Bactrian camel in Gobi, Mongolia.
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.

https://arkbiodiv.com/2020/06/20/history-of-world-camel-day-22-june/
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

Who is the founder of World Camel Day?

What is World Camel Day?

Categories
Camel in Middle East and Africa camel milk Camel milk demand in Africa

Higher Demand for Milk is a driver of Sustainability

The author is taking camel milk in Jigjiga Ethiopia
The author is taking camel milk in Jigjiga Ethiopia

A case study from the Somali Region of Ethiopia

I always tried to spend my time with the camels’ related explorations and research work. This year (2023) I visited 2 important camel communities;

  • 1. Dhofari camels in Salalah Oman
  • 2. Somali camel community in the Somali Region of Ethiopia (Jigjiga)

Here is my take on the case study in Ethiopia

I visited 2 farms (semi-intensive camel dairies) and many mobile camel herds in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The camels are very healthy, active, and kept at a very high level of well-being. The pastoralists and the emerging camel dairy herders are keeping camels in a very good state of situation. The camels have the freedom of roaming and grazing on natural pastures. They consume diverse types of flora, some flora are rich in nutrients for camels, some act as medicine keeping animals healthy, and some flora have higher transferability from healthy promising nutrients from the camel to the consumers through camel products, esp milk.

camel consuming thorny cactuses in Somali Region of Ethiopia
Camels are consuming thorny cactuses in the Somali Region of Ethiopia

1. Higher demand for camel milk

There is a high demand for camel milk in the Somali region of Ethiopia, the same is the phenomenon in most parts of East, Central, and West Africa. The camel herders attain very reasonable prices for camel milk. The price per kg is 3 USD in the Somali Region of Ethiopia (SRE). The camel milk is provided to those customers who have already registered for camel milk. The milk quality is very good, coming from naturally grazing camels. The surroundings of the camel farms are very clean naturally and rich with a lot of diverse vegetation and trees. No flies, ticks, or other problems in the near surroundings were noticed. I shot many videos and images and documented a lot of facts about camel dairying in SRE.

2. Camel milk taste is driven by what they eat (sweet milk)

As for the flavor, unlike in cows, it is 100% dependent on what camels are eating. We can tell the difference between milk from camels feeding on dunes or on sebkhas (salty flats) near the sea, just a mile apart. With salty browsing, the milk leaves a pleasant salty taste on one’s lips, but from euphorbias on the dunes, it is much sweeter. When camels eat particular trees like Acacia (locally called Askaf)  herders say the milk is incredibly healthy, and they love the taste, but in fact, it is a bit bitter and (to me) slightly unpleasant but the shrub grows in a particular environment and may well be as healthy as they say. Camel lactose is different from cow’s, having a different molecular structure which doesn’t cause any lactose intolerance issue. I found the strange fact that the camel milk was sweeter like honey.

Camel Milk or Honey?
Camel are consuming cacti and other highly adapted native flora

3. Bottling of raw milk

It is interesting that the milk is poured directly into bottles after milking, without even filtering (e.g. through a cloth). I thought a lot about asking the camel dairy entrepreneur to filter the milk after milking but decided that the cloth would not be washed or not washed well enough, so it would be more dangerous than just delivering the milk with all the dirt in inevitably in a rural desert setting it contains sand, hair, cells, insects, dust, etc. Another factor is that consumers in that sort of setting have nice strong immune systems, so there is less risk. Also, there is no H&S inspection to require any sanitary standards. I think it is optimistic to believe that there are no pathogens or insects involved, but the operation looks nicely thought out and done. Here is the link to a video about the bottling of camel milk in SRE.