How many large camelids in the world? A synthetic analysis of the world camel demographic changes

Abstract

At world level, the current official number of large camelids cannot be determined exactly (it is estimated to be more than 35 million heads), and the role of camels in the livestock economy is highly variable. The only reliable statistics are provided by FAO since 1961. According to these data, five different patterns of demographic changes have been observed. In countries marked by a regular or drastic decline of their camelid population, a tendency to re-increase has been in force since the beginning of the century, except in India. Generally, countries marked by a sharp recent increase in their large camelid population have implemented a census and readjusted their data. Many inconsistencies occur in available data, most notably cases arising from changes occurring in state status (for example secession of Eritrea, Soviet Union collapse). Moreover, large camelid stocks in Australia, in countries of new camel establishment (Western countries) and those related to the expansion of camel farming, notably in Africa, are not recorded in the international database. In addition, there is no distinction between dromedary and Bactrian data. The present large camelid population in the world is probably more than 40 million and could reach 60 million after 25 years from now if the current demographic trend is maintained.

Camel Mastitis: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Isolation of Major Bacterial Pathogens in Gomole District of Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Of more than 35 million camels in the world [1], Ethiopia has 4.5 million camels and 89% are one-humped (Camelus dromedarius) camels [2,3]. e camel is a multipurpose animal that has outstanding performance in the arid and semiarid environments where browse and water are limited, and it makes an important contribution to human survival and utilization of these dry and arid lands [3,4].…”

The impact of COVID-19 on Old World Camelids and their potential role to combat a human pandemic

“…However, the potential role of camels as an important food source in arid regions has not been taken into account seriously until recently. Albeit, the camel population shows a constant 2% yearly increase in the last 50 years reaching approximately 35 million heads in 2018 ( Faye, 2020 ). This population increase is partly due to desertification and, therefore, the geographical expansion of these species and to the renewed interest in camel products, mainly camel milk.…”

“…International travel restrictions seriously impacted ongoing and future international technical and scientific cooperation. Most of the camel countries belong to the group of developing states and some are among the poorest in the world, especially Sahelian countries, which represent 78% of the world camel population ( Faye, 2020 ). The development of the camel sector in those countries is depending on financial support from different projects supported by international organizations, such as FAO (e.g., in Chad or in Mauritania) or on EU (projects such as CARAVAN, CAMELMILK, and CAMELSHIELD) or some NGOs.…”

Grazing Into the Anthropocene or Back to the Future?

“…In nearby Marsabit County, by 2012 camels were being kept at higher altitudes by people who rarely kept camels in 2000 (Watson et al, 2016 (Faye, 2020). Estell et al (2012) correctly anticipate a future "world with less grass": "Grasslands are in decline (a trend expected to continue) for a number of reasons (e.g., competing land uses, urban sprawl, and invasive species), though two dominant factors are conversion to cropland and woody plant encroachment" (Estell et al, 2012, p. 553).…”