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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al

NIGERIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL ISSN 0331-3026

Nig. Vet. J., December 2015 Vol. 36 (4): 1299-1317. REVIEW ARTICLE

The ; A Review on the Aspects of History, Physical Description, Adaptations, Behavior/Lifecycle, Diet, Reproduction, Uses, Genetics and Diseases

Nelson, K. S.1, Bwala, D. A.2* and Nuhu, E. J.3

1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, 2*Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri, 3Yobe State College of Agriculture, Damaturu, Yobe state. *Corresponding author: Email: [email protected]; Tel No: +2348039294880.

SUMMARY Some aspects of the life of the dromedary camel were examined based on available literature. The camel was said to be domesticated in the present day about 4000 yrs ago. Two dominant where named, the Camelus dromedary and Camelus bacterainus. Its name the “ship of the ” was said to be given because of its usefulness to the desert nomads to whom the camel serves as beast of burden, draft and also a source of milk, , hides, and wool. Their ability to stay for long periods without water is one of the characteristics that make the camel of great importance due to the emergence of environmental challenges such as desert encroachment and global warming. The fast developing sport of camel has the potential of becoming an industry that will further enrich the economy and promote tourism in some Arab countries. The camel is also known to be susceptible to diseases like antrax, surra, helminthosis, salmonellosis, , tuberculosis, pasturellosis, paratuberculosis, black quarter, pneumonia, and tetanus.

Key words: Camel, dromedary, origin, , uses, products.

INTRODUCTION The word camel is said to have been derived few permanent montoes of their presence. from a Greek word ‟‟kremal” or from a However the most likely time of Sankrit word “Kreluk” which means “throw is about 4000 years before away legs” and it makes sense since the present BP (Before Present) around the camel seems to throw away its legs during present day Oman (Barht et al., 2003). movement(Barht et al., 2003). are divided into old world camels The camelus genus has little direct evidence which are in the genus camelus and the new of the precise time of domestication, since world camels or Southern American Camels most of the owners where nomads, they left which are in the genus . The camelus

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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al genus has two species camelus compartments (Barht et al., 2003).The camel or Arabian Camels or one-humped camel or possess the ability to travel across a long hot dromedary and Camelus bactrianusor two desert with little food and water .Camels are humped camel. Lama pacus, L. glama, L. divided into two, the old world camel which guanicoe, and L. are the four are of the genus camelus and the species constituting the Lama genus with the camels which are of the genus . The first two being domestic and the others wild genus camelus consists of two species which but they are all humpless are Camelus domedarius or dromedary (Mason,1979;Payne and Wilson, 1999;Barht camelor Arabian camel or one humped et al., 2003). camel and Camelus bacterianus or the two With the current trend of global warming, humped camel. The new world camel desert encroachment, drought, low rain fall, consist of Llama glama mainly used as park the camel stands to be one of the animals and the (L.pacos), which that can withstand these adverse produces mostly high fibre with the wild environmental conditions (Barhrt et al., ones including (L.guanicoe ) and 2003) Among other importance the camel vicuna(L.vicuna) (Onu and Hambolu, 2006). (dromedary) can be used for milk, which In this review we will be looking at the averagely a lactating female can be milked various aspects of the life of the dromedary for a year, it also produces meat, hair, wool, camel and its impacts on the life of man hides, serves as beast of burden, used for based on available literature. riding and draft animal for short distance journey and agriculture. Camels are DROMEDARY CAMEL currently being used for a lucrative The Arabian camel also called Camelus developing racing industry especially in the dromedarius or dromedary camel is an even- Middle East ( Cockril, 1979,Payne and toed large with one hump on it Wilson, 1999). back. in 1798 was the first to In Nigeria camels are mostly found in the describe this animal. The dromedary is the arid zone and Sudan savannah area with an second largest member of the camelus estimated population of 87,830 with Sokoto family after the larger and Borno having 43,960 and 26,682 (Groves et al., 2011).The term dromedary respectively. Niger state has 496 making the came from a French word dromedaire or three states the highest in that order (NLRS, word dromedarius which means „swift‟. 1992). It is based on the Greek word Dromas, the Amongst one of the best and the most prefix „dromad‟ meaning runner (Oxford adopted species of animals to the desert is Press, 2012). the camel that can be used for meat, wool, British Arnold Leese on the milk etc (Kamal, 2008; Meiloud et al., basis of habitat classified dromedaries into 2011).The old and new world camels three, hill camels, plain camel and the belongs to the order artiodactyla, of the intermediate between the two (Mukasa- family and of the sub Megerwa, 1981).Earlier Bactrian and order . The camelidase differs from dromedary camel were considered as one order in that it doesn‟t possess but this was differentiated by Macedonian horns and antlers. The camels are even toed philosopher Aristotle who described them as (Payne and Wilson, 1999). one hump and two hump camel in his book The Camel is a polygastric animal and a History of Animals (Lendering, 2004). psuedoruminant having three stomach

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DOMESTICATION male is usually taller and more heavily built The history and actual origin of the than the female. The whiskers tend to be domesticated camel is elusive compared to longer, the tushes more pronounced and other animals like donkey, and dog there is a general overall better muscular (Guffra et al., 2000; Savolianen et al., 2002; development in the male dromedary than in Beja-Pereira et al., 2004). Dromedaries the female. If a gelding is castrated before were first domesticated around Central or three years old it will attend normal height Southern Arabia. It is believed that it took but will be deficient in weight as they will place around the Arabian Peninsula around be light built with a high pitched voice, a 4000 years ago (Peter, 1997). reduced preputial sheath and a dulaa (soft The camelus genus was probably among the palate) that cannot inflate (Barht et al., last to be put into use by man among 2003). domesticated animals. There exists little The camel‟s real general description is that evidence of the actual time of domestication they possess long eyelashes, protruding eye since the early owners were nomads whose ridge bone, thick eye brow and dark large migrational movements could not allow for eyes. Other descriptions are a third eye lid to permanent mementoes for archaeological protect the eyes from the sand, short round studies. There is more evidence for the ears lined with thick fur, long curved neck, domestication of southern America camels deep narrow chest and four long legs. The as it said it was on the altitude of about 4000 camel also have wide feet with two toes and to 5000 meters in the Andes of Southern in front, a hump on the back, light Peru and western Bolivia ( Barht et al., brown or beige fur, a short tail among other 2003),while others suggest that the bacterian descriptions (Desert USA, 2013). camel originated from the in Their coats ranges from black to a much North –Western through to lighter color with much hair concentration Central (Binnikov ,1976). around the neck, shoulder and hump. The The domestication of camels like other soft palate in the male is usually inflated to animals have brought about a tremendous produce a pinkish sack which is often increase in economic ,cultural ,social, and mistaken for tongue which always hangs out educational development of human societies during mating seasons to attract females. and has actually brought a “quantum jump” The dromedary has two toes on each foot, in human civilization (Schaller,1998; appearing like flat leathery pads. The hump Nowak,1999). is actually tissue bound by fats and measures about 20cm or more (Ilse et al., 1991). They PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION show remarkable temperature adaptation The dromedary camel with the Bactrian from 34OC to 41.7oC, this adaptation is for camel are the largest camelids with the adult water conservation (Nauman, 2012). They male of the dromedary weighing 400-600 have sharp eyes and a good kg and grows to a height of 1.8 -2 metres (Nowak et al., 1999). and the female dromedary weighs 300 – Certain important conformation 540 kg and is 1.7 – 1.9 Metres when they characteristics of the dromedary are well- are adults. In general the Bactrian is slightly developed prominent forequarters which larger in size than the dromedary camel. appears higher than the weak appearing hind Very large mal dromedary can weigh as quarters. Joint angulation is wider in the much as 1000kg (Groves, 2005). forequarters compared to the hind quarters. A clear cut sexual dimorphism can be seen The front legs appear straight and more in between male and female dromedary. The line than the hind limbs. A prominently

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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al arched back is followed by a 15 to 20 degree of the camel in the desert (Payne and horizontal inclined short loin. The rump is Wilson, 1999). also quiet short with a down ward Dromedary has 22 milk teeth which are later inclination of 45 to 50 degree from the repositioned by 34 permanent teeth horizontal plane resulting to what is called a (Mukassa- Mugerwa, 1981). Their eye goose rump. Rear feet are slightly cramped lenses constitute crystallin which has 8-13 % under and turned outward (Barht et al., of the total amount of protein present there 2003). (Garland et al., 1991). The epidermis is 0.038-0.064mm and the dermis is 2.2- PHYSIOLOGICAL AND 4.7mm thick. They don‟t have gland on the ANATOMICAL ADAPTATIONS face but males have occipital glands 5-6cm Camels possess unique physiological bellow the neck crest on both side of the systems that allow them to survive under neck‟s midline. The rugged climate and extreme temperatures measure2.4cm in length and 1.5cm in and weather. Physiologically the camel diameter at the base is cone- shaped and four adapt well to high temperatures with volume chambers. They can even lactate when of blood maintained partly by water being dehydrated with milk water content diverted from the to other parts of the exceeding 90% (Ilse etal., 1991). body like tissues and organs (Onu and A double row of eye lashes and a unique Hambolu, 2006). Fluid and water ability of closing the nostrils helps protect conservation is maintained by highly against dust and assists during sand storm to efficient renal mechanism which may be keep the dust away from the came related to long nephrons found camels, (Huffman, 2004).Dromedary can tolerate as nitrogen retention and re-use, production of much as 30% or more of water loss which is dry faeces and very flexible diurnal not applicable to any . In the Sahara temperature which can vary up to 6oC in 24 desert they can survive from October to hours. There is constant water recirculation April or May without water. In from the duodenum and colon to the fore- temperatures of 30 to 40Oc they need water stomach through the blood (Mukassa- every 10 to 15 days and only in the hottest Mugerwa, 1981). weather do they need water every four to The camel‟s exceptional ability to withstand seven days. They drink at the speed of ten to feed and water deprivation are well known twenty litres/minute (Ilse et al., 1991). and admired (Payne and Wilson, 1999).This Interstitial and intracellular bodily fluid is is associated with many aspects of where water is consumed. They can drink individual and group behavior and anatomy 100litres of water in 10minutes which is majorly amongst which are the preference to quite unique and a very thirsty camel can feed at night and the early hours of the drink up to 110litre in 13minutes (Nauman, morning, coughing early in the morning 2012). before the sun warms the ground which helps reduce the heat they absorb from the BEHAVIOR AND LIFE CYCLE ground. Bringing in both legs to limbs under Some of the behavioral traits include the body to reduce contact with the ground stamping feet to show displeasure and and cluster together to reduce the amount of , vomiting cud at a restrainer in a water lost by radiation. Anatomically the splashy fashion, snapping each other without large pad – like feet which reduces pressure biting. They always like moving in a single and allows easy walk on desert sand is a file and they take pleasure in scratching part feature that is very useful for the existence of their body with their front or hind limbs

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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al or with their incisors. They rub themselves especially females can easily remember against tree backs and are seen rolling on the where they gave birth or breast fed their sand. They are not usually aggressive with young ones. They don‟t have a specific the exception of breeding males (Nauman, pattern they use to defecate and have 2012). marking attitudes (Ilse et al., 1991). A study During the reproductive season, males on the androgen level in the blood of male splash their urine on their tails, which is showed that it influences their behavior, flicked up and down, sprinkling the back when the androgens levels are high between and surrounding area. Meanwhile, male April to May it is difficult to manage camels dromedaries also extrude their soft palate, because they blow out a palate flap from which hangs out of the side of their mouth their mouth, vocalize, and can throw urine at like a red balloon. Copious saliva turns to their back using the tail (Yagil et al., 1980). foam as the male gurgles, covering the mouth (Klingel, 1990). DIET AND HABITAT During the breeding season males become The dry grasses of the desert, foliage and very aggressive towards each other, available desert vegetation which are mostly defending their groups of females from all thorny consists the daily meal of the rivals. Conflicts are often serious, camel. These makes up about 70% of their consisting of snapping at each other while diet in the summer and 90% in the winter attempting to neck-wrestle the other to the (Sambraus, 1994). Their mouth inside is ground. Suffocation of the loser may occur lined with very thick skin that allows them if a male succeeds in felling his opponent to chew up choky plants that other animals with the rival's head between the winner‟s cannot eat. They can reach trees and limbs leg and body. The main vocalizations that are up to 11' high. The stiff hair on their include a sheep-like bleat used to locate nose allows them to forage in prickly or individuals and the breeding gurgle of thorny plants. The diet of a camel needs salt, males, while a whistling noise is produced so the salty plants that grown in salt lakes as a threat noise by males by grinding the and other places is a component of their teeth together (Kohlah- Rollefson, 1991). normal diet. Camels like other ruminant When running, a camel can reach a speed up feeders do not chew when they eat their to 40 mph in short bursts, 25 mph for longer food, but later regurgitate the cud and finish periods of time. Camels do not have . digesting it later (Desert USA, 2013). The foot of a camel is made up of a large Highly preferred grass species by leathery pad, with two toes at the front, the dromedaries in the Sahara includes bones of which are embedded in the foot. Santalum acuminatu, S. lanceolatum, Acasia The padding makes the gait of a camel sessiliceps, Lawrencia, Pittosporum silent, and keeps it from sinking in the sand. augustifolium, Erythrina vespertilio (Camel The camel also has pads of thick leathery facts sheet, 2009). The dromedary also feeds skin, on its leg joints, enabling it to kneel or on Salsola, Acasia and Atriplex whenever lay in the hot sand. Similar to giraffes, available (Ilse et al., 1991). These plants are camels move both legs together on each side also found to be palatable to dromedary of their body to walk (Desert USA, 2013). camel in India Eruca sativa, Trifolium The males within the flock seem to hinder species, Melilotus parvifloro, Brassica interaction between bachelor males and the campestris, Vigna mongo, V.aconitifolia, reproductive females by standing or walking Cymobsis tetragonolaba, while Australian between them and driving other males way. camels eat Euphobia tannensis and They seem to remember their habitat zeylanicum (Ilse et al., 1991).

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A study in Ethiopia proved that camels spent the cow. Camels travel in herds and most of their day with the younger caravans constituting mostly females with ones eating more frequent than the adults their young ones and a dominant male. The who can rest or get involved in other other males move in a bachelor group. When activities mostly during the wet season. resting the camels in a group will congregate Over all grazing was increased during the to keep their temperature low. Their average dry season while other activities prevail at life span is 40 to 50 years but they retire the wet season. It was also observed that from active work at the age of 25 (Desert Acaciasia bresvispica and Opuntia USA, 2013). were eaten more in the wet and dry season The calves grow slowly so to attain sexual respectively (Camel facts sheet, 2009). maturity takes up to seven years in some Mostly camels live in desolate areas with instances. A camel can have as many as 15 sparse vegetation, rocky mountain massifs, calves at the age of 40 years. Actually a to the flat pavement-like desert; and sand camel can calve every 3 years all things dunes. Poplar fringed oases; vast washed-out being equal. Males show signs of heat plains and high sand dunes. In some areas, certain times when there is pleasant weather no fresh water, it has adapted to drinking and lots of food. Rut is the time when males salt water (Camel facts sheet, 2009). show keen interest in the female and fight it out stubbornly until a dominant male is REPRODUCTION found. At this mating time also males loose The female reaches sexual maturity at 3 appetite and pass diarrhea there by making years and mate much later at 4 or 5 year them to loss function in other activities that while the male may start mating at 3years pattern to their functionality (Maurice, but attains sexual maturity at 6 years. 2012). Breeding takes place in the winters but Urine is splashed on the tail and nearer becomes peak in the rainy season. Several regions during mating season and their soft factors contribute to the mating of palate is extruded with copious saliva dromedary like nutritional status and day- coming out of the mouth which covers the length. The follicle regresses once mating mouth(Nauman, 2012). Dominance attitude fails to take place which usually develops is exhibited in males by trying to stand taller during estrus (Skidmore, 2005).The than other males low noise is also made with gestation period is 12 to 13 months they give lowering, bending and lifting of their neck birth to a single calf and rarely have twin backward. A male tries to defeat other male births and wean after 1 to 2 years. The entire by biting and putting the opponent head in breeding season starts from January to May between the jaw. Necking marks the although most regions have a shorter and a beginning of copulation. The male smells more define spread (Huffman, 2004). the female genital and attempts biting them Once breeding starts a cow gives birth to or biting the hump. The female is made to sit calf every two to three years. They are by the male who grasp her with his fore leg. seasonal breeders and have higher chances There are usually 3 to 4 ejaculations. Mostly of mating when day light time increases. the herd‟s men help get the penis into the The length of the female cycle is 27 days. vulva but the male can do this. The time for Calves are born with a thick fur and with copulation is 7 to 35 minutes (Nauman, their eyes opened. The humps don‟t develop 2012). until there is change of diet from milk to About 99% of pregnancy in camels takes solid food. In captivity calves are weaned at place in the left horn. Generally the one year but usually they stay longer with incidence of twin pregnancy is only 14%. In

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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al twin pregnancy the embryos develop at the animal is not just for meat, milk and but same time but the one at the right horn dies it is said to be the most vital source of when they are 2- 3 cm in size. There are no transportation in the desert (Khanvilkar et records of freemartinism in camels. The al., 2009). foetal growth is of linear pattern. The posterior presentation predominates (54- a) Meat 66%) from early pregnancy, in camels. The dromedary camel carcass can provide a There is no tendency in late pregnancy for substantial amount of meat for human the amnion to separate from the consumption as averagely the carcass of allantochorion as it may happen in the cows male camel can weigh 400kg or more. The (Khanvilkar et al., 2009) carcass of the female weighs averagely Pregnancy diagnosis: There are many ways between 250 to 350kg which is lower than of pregnancy diagnosis in camel like:- that of the male. The briskets, rib cage, loins Physical changes, which are most common are some meat parts people prefer. The like Cocking of tail, Increase in body hump which is hypothesized to carry water weight, Dark yellow coloured urine, pH of is in real sense a chunk of fatty tissue which urine becomes 3.10, Specific gravity – 1.038 is preserved as meat that is called khli which to 1.086., Vaginal folds become very clear, can also be made from mutton and beef Rectal palpation by 60 days. Chemical test (Sarif, 2003). Meat is usually a by-product which are two that are generally used in of a camel system and the demand for camel camels which are Cuboni test and Barium meat appears to be increasing among chloride test while Biologic test includes, societies not herding camels that come detection of gonadotrophins and Vaginal mainly from old males and females that cytology (Khanvilkar et al., 2009). have served usefully in other functions in In camels the normal signs of parturition earlier life. Only a limited number of are: Swollen vulva, Restlessness, Frequent castrated males are raised especially for urination, parturition site preparation, slaughter. The camel meat annually inappetence etc. Delivery occurs when the produced in is 50,000 tons valued animal is sitting. The fore limb of the young at Rs. 250 million (Khan et al., 2003). animal is presented first then head. The It has also become a well-known fact that duration of the labour is more pronounced. wealthy Islamic people slaughter camel Navel cord generally breaks by itself when during notable festivals and eat the meat. the camel licks her young and the placenta is Many now raise camels for their sacrificial expelled soon after parturition. Securing of slaughter during some of the notable Islamic animal as soon as the symptoms are seen is festivals. Camel meat is a lucrative export advisable. The labour pains continue for 5 to opportunity in countries like , Libya, 10 hours. She camel remains in recumbent Tunisia, Algeria and the rich Arab Gulf position for few minutes after parturition. States. In the Arab states it is said that camel Camel calf stands on its own within 6-8 hrs meat taste better than beef and outside the after birth. The female generally produces Arab states it is known that young camel one calf at a time (Khan et al., 2003). meat tastes as primed beef. In most countries the camel meat is usually the small amount USES of meat consumed compared to the meat of The camel has been an important part of the other animals like , sheep, , pig, ecosystem in the desert for centuries and has etc. (Ahmed et al., 2010). been given names like “ship of the desert”. The meat is usually eaten fresh, cooked in The dependence of human beings on this pieces or minced and sometime air dried.

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Sausages can be made from camel meat so lower in fat and lactose, and higher in that when cooked it looks more like beef potassium, iron and Vitamin C. It is (Khan et al., 2003). Using standard butchery normally drunk fresh, and the warm frothy procedure the fore quarter comprises 34% liquid, heavy and sweet, is usually an while the hind quarter comprises 25% of the acquired taste for the Western palate. Most total carcass. The liver, heart and lungs are Saudi Arabian camels are females reared for 5% the head is 3.6% while the feet is 4.3% their milk in dairy herds (Marisa, 2011). of the total carcass. The hide is equivalent to Camel milk also has a higher keeping about 10% of the life weight and the blood quality than cow milk due to superior about 3%(Khan et al., 2003). Reports of life protein it contains that makes it resistant to weight gain vary greatly among different bacteria this makes fresh camel milk camel groups. In Egypt an addition of marketable commodity under basic hygienic 1kg/day has been reported under opened conditions (Yakoob and Nawaz, 2007) range condition. Well feed young camels .Development of the camel milk to the point have added 0.58kg/day under intensive of commercialization is the challenge for conditions (Khan et al., 2003).This reported most scientist and camel owners in most variation in weight gain shows that there is desert parts and range lands (Aujla et al., opportunity for genetic manipulation to 1998).Camel milk is either consumed fresh enhance meat quality and quantity in the or converted to yogurts (Abu- Raquaie, camel (Manefield and Tinson, 1997). 1986). Milk production alone can become In , The Central Australian Camel the only reason why the production of camel Industry Association is currently looking at should be encouraged. There is a vast a medium to large camel meat production recorded potential in the camel that could be that will become a viable enterprise exploited from its different breeds for commercially. The consideration is c based human benefits. It was recorded that the on the largely existing feral camel average camel can produce 4.5 litres/day in population initially. The market expectancy Pakistan (Baluch, 2001).The camel has more for local and export trade is valued at $A milk per/kg than the Sahiwal cow, Friesian / 15million (Manefield and Tinson, 1997). Sahiwal cross and the Buffalo (Knoess et al., 1986). b) Milk In a similar environment with even less feed The dromedary has an excellent capacity for the camel were found to produce more milk milk production. The milk is a stable source than any other specie for a longer period of food for the desert nomads and has a (Wilson, 1998). A well feed dromedary good duration of lactation of about 240 to produces more milk than most exotic cows 540 days. The total milk yield is about 1300 and their crosses (Knoess et al., 1986). The to about 4200 liters. The total milk yield per camel thrives in areas where fodder is day of a well feed camel can be 10 to 15 scarcely available and can survive on the litres. The daily average yield is about feed other animals have rejected. The 4litres (Yasin and Wahed 1957). A heavy dromedary should be respected in terms of Pakistan breed can produce up to 35litres of its resistance to harsh environmental milk per day (Aujla et al., 1998). With conditions, the quality and sustainability of adequate fodder and other provisions the its products and its accessibility to people dromedary can maintain a daily production living in marginal lands (Knoess, 1977; of milk for up a year unlike the cattle Yagil, 1994). (Ahmed et al., 2010). Camel's milk is much It has been reported that camel milk was more nutritious than that from a cow. It is converted into ice cream in a camel farm in

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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al the Netherlands (BBC, 2011).Camel meat as people for distant transportation of up to cannot be made into butter by the traditional 30km/day. It is in record that a baggage churning method. It can be made if left to be camel can carry goods of up to 300kg to a sour and a clarifying agent added or if distant place and move at the speed churned at 24 to 25o C but time really 30km/day successfully. They are thus matters in achieving results. In recent years cheaper source of energy for various it was not possible to coagulate camel milk agricultural operations and to meet allied into cheese because rennet was unable to transportation needs of small, medium coagulate the protein in the milk into curds. farmers and nomads. They are used for Calcium Phosphate was discovered to be leveling land, transports salts, house hold effective when added with vegetable rennet products, and agricultural products (Bakht et to form cuds. The cheese so produced is al., 2003; Iqbal, 1999; Raziq, 2009). better because it has low level of cholesterol and it is easy to digest and to eat even to e) Sports/ Entertainment those that are lactose intolerant. Camel In the wealthy Gulf States especially in cheese is on the contrary hard to get due to UAE and a thriving camel industry import restriction on the zone where they are exist which is based on racing. The amount produced (FAO, 2001). of money being turn over and the number of people involved, many of them expatriates c) Hide and justifies the use of the term “camel racing Hair is an important resource from the camel industry”. The values of the trophies given which is used for making ropes, bags, mats, at annual events include classic Mercedes carpets blankets etc. About 1 to 3 kg of hair Benz, Range Rover etc that could worth up is produced from a camel annually. Saddles to US $ 3 million. These trophies are handed and shoes are made conveniently out of over to the trainers who are in turn expected camel hide. The hide of bactrian is said to be to show gratitude to other support staff of high economic importance as it has good (khan et al., 2003). export value and is said to be costly but the Many people have the desire to ride camel, a hide of the dromedary is not of good quality few in reality have pet riding camels. Some and is mainly used for other products like just want to ride for a short distance while whips, container for milk and water etc others need that caravan experience of riding (Khan et al., 2003). long distances into the desert. In central Australia and in the desert of Cholistan, d) Beast of burden Tharparkar, Rajistan, and the beach of Camels (dromedary) serve human being in Karachi where camels is used is a source of diverse ways that have improved the normal recreation, the visitors are made to believe pleasant lively hood of many especially their that camel riding is not less comfortable. keepers and it has been said to be a constant Visitors to various zoos enjoy the mere sight part of the of the normal daily living of the of the dromedary camel kept there for African nomad who earns his living from animal show. Racing camels has become a raising them (dromedary). The camel serves national event as we have 15000 racing as a source of power for drawing water from camels in UAE alone as well as a thousand the well, mini oil extraction (from seeds that camel owners, staff and spectators. It is contain oil) mills, grinding of wheat, corn, therefore not only a source of recreation but grains and sugarcane crushing. They are a means of lively hood for a large number of used as an energy source for ploughing land, people (Chaudhary and Akbar, 2000). pulling cart for goods transportation as well

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Apart from organizing racing there are were ancestor of dromedaries (Kinne et al., camel races throughout the camel range 2010). which are quiet natural and spontaneous in In Kazakhstan a cross between Bactrian and . The camel is seriously also involved dromedary that is a female was re- in local and international tourism. Camel crossed with Bactrian, the progeny known as troops take part in festivals and exhibitions F2 Bactrian is used as a riding camel. It has where dancing camels attract large crowd. In two humps with 75% Bactrian genes but less Pakistan and India the camel trooper of the robust than the pure breed Bactrian. These ranger and the Border Security Force progenies are stronger than dromedary and perform elaborate musical ride and other faster than Bactrian and are called bukhts entertaining parades. Camel wrestling has (Abu - Zidane et al., 2011). also been another entertaining event that has attracted a lot of people. Trained bull camels ZOONOSIS wrestle in a ring of spectators. It is not In 2005 a report issued jointly by the Saudi doubtful their fore that the camel participate Ministry of Health and United States in diverse activities in different regions Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Manefield and Tinson, 1997). indicated cases of human Bubonic Plaque resulting from the eating of raw camel liver. GENETICS Five people were affected in all four of The karyotype of different camelid groups which had severe pharyngitis and where earlier studied by different groups of submandibular lymphadenitis that had people but they did not come to an consumed the raw camel liver. Yersinia agreement as to the camel genome pestis was isolated from the camel bone nomenclature .The most recent study used a marrow and the jird (Meriones libycus) and flow sorted camel chromosome building fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) that were found which showed the camel karyotype to be on the camels corral (Bin Saeed et al., (2n=74) that consisted of one metercentric, 2005). three submetercentric, and thirty-two acrocentric autosomes. The Y is a smaller DISEASES metercentric chromosome while the X is a There are several diseases that are a problem larger metercentric chromosome (Di to the camelid specie chief among which is Berardino et al.,2006; O„Brien et al., Trypanosomosis a protozoan disease caused 2006;Balmos et al., 2007). by Trypanosoma evansi, T. brucei, T. DNA analysis confirmed that C. ferus congolense and T. simiae. These are being should be considered a separate species from transmitted by flies like Glossina and other the domestic Bactrian camel (Silbermayr, biting flies like stomoxys, Hippoboscas, 2006).Unclear evolutionary relationship Tabanids, Lyperossa, Heamatobia flies between C. bactrianus, C. dromedarius, and (Kohler-Rollefson, 1991; Scot, 1973). C. ferus DNA studies show wild Bactrian The dromedary is affected by diseases of Camel not ancestor of two domesticated diverse etiologies among which are bacterial species as previously thought C. ferus is disease like Salmonellosis, Antrax, separate lineage and not direct progenitor of Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Pasturellosis, C. bactrianus (Ji et al., 2009). Bactrian Paratuberculosis, Black Quarter, Pneumonia, camels and dromedaries diverged about 5-8 Tetanus etc (Leese, 1969; Richards, 1979; million years ago (Cui et al., 2007). No Cheyne et al., 1977). The diseases of viral evidence to indicate that Bactrian camels origin includes rabies, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Rinderpest, camel pox

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Nigerian Veterinary Journal 36(4). 2015 Nelson et al which mostly affects young dromedary of improve this breed in the aspects of weight between 6 to 2years while antibodies of gain in a shorter period of time, increased Bovine viral diarrhea Bovine Rhinotrichitis milk yield for a longer period of time and and Parainfluenza has been isolated from the higher quantity. The population of this dromedary camel (Fazil, 1977; Richard, specie is also dwindling fastly as there is 1976; Burgemeister et al., 1975). Apart from increased consumption and less production, trypanosomosis other protozoan disease that therefore ways of increasing the population affects the dromedary camel includes of this animal should be scientifically Toxoplasmosis, Leishmaniasis, exploited to avoid the of the Anaplasmosis, Coccidiosis, Theileriosis, specie. Sacrosporidiasis (Gath-Rutter, 1967; Richards, 1979). Camels are also infested with both internal REFERENCES and external parasites which include Mange, ABU-RUQAIE, I., EL-NAKHAL, H., AND which is considered as the most important WAHDAN, A. (1989). Improvement camel disease after Trypanosomosis. Camels in the Quality of Dried Fermented are only affected by Sarcoptic Mange. Milk Product. J Dairy Res., 54: 429- Camels don‟t suffer much from tick borne 435 diseases never the less a few ticks have been ABU-ZIDANA, FIKRI M., EIDA, HANI, isolated that infests the camel which O., HEFNYA, A., BASHIRA, includes Ripecephalus pulchellus, R. pravus, MASOUD O., BRANICKIA, F. R. simus,Hyaloma Species and Ambyomma (2011). "Camel Bite Injuries in species (Richards, 1979; Bremaud, 1969). : A 6 year The internal parasites are a combination of prospective study" (Epub ahead of various helminthes which includes print). Strogyliodes spp, Tricuris spp, Monezia spp, AHMED, S., YAKUB, M., HASHMI, N., Heamonchus spp, and ZAMAN, M., and TARIQ, M. Hydatidiosis, Oestrus cameli (camel bot), (2010). Economic Importance of Distomer spp, Faciola spp, Echinococcosis, Camel: A Unique Alternative Under Fileriasis etc (Micheal and Saleh, 1977; Crises.Pak Vet J., 30(4): 191-197 Magzub and Kassim, 1978; Leese 1979; AUJLA, K., JASRA, A., AND MUNIR, M., Dada, 1978). Other disease and conditions (1998). Socioeconomic Profile of saddle burns, Nosepeg tears, inflammation Camel Herders in South-western of the soft palate, Bloat, Sand impaction, Mountainous Areas of Pakistan. surgical conditions, lameness etc (Leese, Proceedings of the Third Annual 1979; Currason, 1947) Meeting for Animal Production under Arid Conditions, Al-Ain, CONCLUSION United Arab Emirates, 2:154-174 With the current trend of global warming, BALMUS, G., TRIFONOV, VLADIMIR desert encroachment and many unfavorable A., BILTUEVA, LARISA S., trends that are really against the survival of O‟BRIEN, PATRICIA C.M., many animals, the dromedary camel stands ALKALAEVA, ELENA S.F., out with qualities that can withstand all BEIYUAN, S., JULIAN A., and those challenges and give a firm resistance ALLEN, T. (2007). "Cross-species to many of the environmental conditions and Chromosome Painting Among still be productive. It is here recommended Camel, Cattle, Pig and Humans: that more researches should be carried out to Further Insights Into the Putative

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