Effect of Research Impact on Emerging Camel Husbandry, Welfare and Social-Related Awareness

This study aimed at documenting whether dromedary camels have a preference for shade and how their behavior would change depending on the presence of shade and variable space allowance. A total of 421 animals kept in 76 pens (66 with shelter (Group 1), and 10 without shelter (Group 2)) at the camel market in Doha (Qatar) were recorded for 1 min around 11:00 a.m. when the temperature was above 40 °C. The number of animals in the sun and shade and their behaviors were analyzed using an ad libitum sampling method and an ad hoc ethogram. The results of a chi-square test indicated that camels in Group 1 had a clear preference for shade (p < 0.001). The majority of Group 1 camels were indeed observed in the shade (312/421; 74.11%). These camels spent more time in recumbency and ruminating, while standing, walking, and self-grooming were more commonly expressed by the camels in the sun (p < 0.001). Moreover, locomotory stereotypic behaviors (i.e., pacing) increased as space allowance decreased (p = 0.002). Based on the findings of this pilot study, camels demonstrated a preference for shade; shade seemed to promote positive welfare, while overcrowding seemed to trigger stereotypy and poor welfare. Overall, our preliminary results are novel and provide evidence that shaded areas are of paramount importance for camel welfare. Further research, involving designed studies at multiple locations is needed to confirm these results.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Camels (Camelus dromedarius) Need Shaded Areas? A Case Study of the Camel Market in Doha

Zappaterra

Menchetti

Costa

et al. 2021

“…The present study was carried out following the methodology previously described by McLean and Navas González [ 20 ] and Iglesias et al [ 21 ]. Two independent repositories were used to obtain the data from the present study: and (accessed on 16 July 2021) [ 22 ].…”

Section: Review Of Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The Study of Growth and Performance in Local Chicken Breeds and Varieties: A Review of Methods and Scientific Transference

Ariza

Arbulu

González

et al. 2021

Self Cite

A review of the scientific advances in the study of the growth and performance in native chicken breeds and varieties over the past 20 years was performed. Understanding the growth patterns of native breeds can only be achieved if the constraints characterizing these populations are considered and treated accordingly. Contextually, the determination of researchers to use the same research methods and study designs applied in international commercial poultry populations conditions the accuracy of the model, variability capturing ability, and the observational or predictive performance when the data of the local population are fitted. Highly skewed sex ratios favouring females, an inappropriate census imbalance compensation and a lack of population structure render models that are regularly deemed effective as invalid to issue solid and sound conclusions. The wider the breed diversity is in a country, the higher the scientific attention paid to these populations. A detailed discussion of the most appropriate models and underlying reasons for their suitability and the reasons preventing the use of others in these populations is provided. Furthermore, the factors conditioning the scientific reception and impact of related publications used to transfer these results to the broad scientific public were evaluated to serve as guidance for the maximization of the success and dissemination of local breed information.

“…The small number of respective studies in this field are brief theoretical summaries and species-contextualized researches that use the concept of animal welfare in a general manner [49][50][51][52]. Furthermore, since the maintenance of high levels of welfare markedly depends on animal species and also on idiosyncratic temperament features, complex ethological characterizations and animal welfare official regulations are widely available for many species but remains scarce for others (i.e., camels) [53]. In this scenario, until more objective data are available for practical use, it becomes crucial to take into account that not only forced works by trainers but also the disability of these and the riders to interpret animal behavior and/or needs and sometimes anthropomorphism attitudes (the misattribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to nonhuman entities) are detrimental to optimal animal welfare [54].…”

Section: Tourism and Animal Ethicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Camel Genetic Resources Conservation through Tourism: A Key Sociocultural Approach of Camelback Leisure Riding

Pastrana

González

Ciani

et al. 2020

Self Cite

Camels are exotic elements, which can be comprised within adventure travel companies promoting ecotourism activities. Such recreations contribute to sustainable livelihoods for local communities and educational empowerment towards nature and its conservation. At present, some local camel breeds’ survival reduces to this animal-based leisure industry and its reliability to perform and promote customized services accurately. By conducting an on-site questionnaire to customers participating in camelback riding tours, we assessed the motivational factors affecting participation, satisfaction, and loyalty in this tourism segment that may have made it socially differentiated. The sixfold combination of staff performance, culture geography, diverse and humane close interaction, camel behavior and performance, sociotemporal context, and positive previous experience involves the elemental dimensions that explain customer satisfaction and return intention probability within this entertainment business. Customer knowledge is essential for stakeholders to build personalized riding experiences and align profits with environmental sustainability and biodiversity mainstream concerns into their everyday operations. In turn, domestic camel tourist rides could be managed as a viable path to nature conservation by helping endangered local breeds to avoid their functional devaluation and potential extinction.