Camels: Animal of the Future
28 September, 2025
Port Sudan (Sudanow Magazine) Today, (Sudanow) Magazine met with Professor Jalal al-Din al-Azhari Muhammad, Department Chairman of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Khartoum and a lecturer in several Arab and African universities, to enlighten on Sudanese camels and considered one of the first and few scholars specializing in this field, which represents one of the most important wealth with which Sudan has been blessed.
On beginning of his talk, Professor Jalal al-Din al-Azhari explained that Sudan is classified among countries that owns largest number of camel , ranking second in the world after Somalia in number of camels, which ranges in between three million to 4.7 million heads. He added that camels are often named after the tribe that raises them, and the main types include the Arabian, Rashidi, Anafi, and Bashari. There are also breeds such as the Rifai, Beja, Zubaidi, Kenan, and Kababish. Camels represent a significant portion of the Sudanese economy, as they are exported to several neighboring countries, most notably the Arab Republic of Egypt’’.
Expert in Camel field and lecturer at several Arab and African universities Professor al-Azhari said ‘’ camels have a profound impact on cultural and social life in various regions of Sudan, particularly in areas where they are raised. They are still used as methods of transportation and for transporting goods, despite significant advances in transportation speed and safety. He also emphasized that camels are an important source of milk and meat, and in industrial sector, they are a primary resource for supply of leather and bones used in many industries’’.
Regarding to locations of camels in Sudan, Professor Al-Azhari explained ‘’ they are found primarily in the eastern states, Kordofan, and Darfur, and to a lesser extent in the remaining northern and central states. He added that camels still depend on natural pastures spread throughout the desert and semi-desert regions.
Moreover , ‘’camels worldwide are divided into two types: one-humped, found in Africa and the Middle East, and two-humped, found in Asia’’ said Professor Al-Azhari and added ‘’ Now other countries turn their attention to raise camels in specialized farms, given to the significant benefits that investors can gain in this field.
Camel expert Professor al-Azhari pointed to camel breeding in the Holy Quran and the hadiths, the history of camel breeding over the centuries, and their physiological, anatomical, and medical advantages. He compared them to some domesticated animals, explaining how camels have a great ability to resist disease. As camels doesn’t affected by climate change such as drought. He considered all of this to be a clear indication to importance of this animal to humans in various aspects of life.
Professor Al-Azhari spoke about the characteristics of camel breeders, including generosity, courage, and strength, and how they take pride with their numbers and types, avoiding mixing between different species, as each species is confined to a single group. He also pointed to the festivals held regularly, which attract camel breeders from all over the world to participate in camel festivals, or what are known as "Zina" in Gulf states, or in racing festivals where camels compete for the fastest camel. He noted that all of this reflects the influence of camels on the cultures of the tribes that raise them, as they are a key component in their joys and sorrows.
Also many camel owners and herders are poets, as every visitor to the camel breeding areas hears the beautiful singing inviting camel to water , especially in the summer, when the camels cross Atbara River to small lakes and descend into river bottom seeking water from the lakes spread along its length in wonderful artistic picture, especially in the summer, when the camels cross Atbara River to small lakes and descend into river bottom seeking for water from the lakes spread along its length.
Department Chairman of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Khartoum Prof Al-Azhari said, "From my personal experience conducting research on camels in eastern Sudan, I found camel breeders to be physically strong, patient, generous, and hospitable to guests and researchers and often insist on guests to drink camel milk before beginning Research Work with them."
Professor Al-Azhari believes that camel breeders have a unique lifestyle. During their migrations, camels can be found traveling for more than five days without being near a watering place. This also applies to breeders, who are not concerned with carrying water and depend completely on camel milk. Therefore, they do not suffer from many diseases. The same applies to camels. Over time, camels have enjoyed good health, adapted to their environment, and diseases prevalent among them, such as guffar, mange, and ticks, are relatively limited.
The camel expert Professor Al-Azhari declared, "After lack of pastures, camels began to mix widely with other animals in grazing areas. This is when other diseases in camels, previously confined to cows and small ruminants, began to appear, such as mastitis, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases and pointed out that he had published more than twenty scientific studies on these diseases, indicating that camels show great resistance to them, and no epidemics had been observed among them. He emphasized that most diseases are diagnosed individually, and that most of the large numbers of camel deaths are caused by consuming toxic fodder. He also explained that many camels brought to slaughterhouses for slaughter are in good health and show no respiratory symptoms, but after slaughter, it is noted that three-quarters of their lungs are completely inactive, indicating the unique characteristics of this animal.
Regarding challenges facing camel breeding and its economic benefits in Sudan, expert Professor Al-Azhari said firmly, "These challenges are solvable. He reviewed these challenges, which include the fact that camel breeding is still practiced by herders who depend on desert grazing, and that traditions and customs still control how they deal with it from a pride and economic perspective. He also believes that many of them do not tend to continue their children's education to advanced levels, which he believes hinders the implementation of development programs in the camel sector. He explained that development of this sector must include educational, economic, health, and cultural environment of the herders, and he announced existence of many scientific research and studies conducted by specialists in Sudan to address all of these challenges and continue ‘’Sudanese specialists have conducted valuable research funded by Germany and France, that has been published in numerous international, regional, and local journals. He also noted that several scientific conferences on camels have been held in Sudan, and that many Sudanese scientists have participated in scientific conferences around the world. He considered all these knowledge sources a treasure trove of knowledge that could contribute to the advancement of the camel sector’’.
Concluding his Scientific discourse, Professor Al-Azhari the camel expert recommended focusing on developing the camel sector in developing countries in general, and in Sudan in particular. He called for the camel to be considered the "animal of the future," given its ability to withstand the dry desert climate, its ability to benefit from grasses and trees with low nutritional value, and its resistance to the drought that has affected most camel breeding areas. He suggested that veterinary authorities establish model farms and highlight the nutritional value of camel meat and dairy products, especially the basic scientific basis is available. All that is required is allocating the necessary budgets for guidance and implementation of these development projects. And asked sadly, "Why is there still no governmental body composed of camel advisors and specialists that reflect camels importance and suitable care?"
There is no match for camels today as they are among the most loyal animals., just as they were yesterday. Indeed, they will undoubtedly remain the animal of the future, not only because they are a renewable national resource or an authentic cultural heritage, but also Because they are part of the Sudanese identity, and it is a source of pride for every Sudanese citizen in this country rich in natural resources..
Post your comments
Photo of the Week
Port Sudan (Sudanow) - In a qualitative development reflecting the social and political transformations within the Australian society, the city of Maryburnong has re-elected Mohamed Samra as its mayor for the 2025-2026 term, making him the first person of Sudanese origin to hold this position twice in the country's history. Observers considered this a significant achievement for...
More-
30 November, 2025
Chronicles from the Battlefield Babanusa: The Resilient Heart of Kordofan… A City on the Line of Fire and the Memory of
Port Sudan, (Sudanow) — The systematic destruction practiced by the rebel militia and its mercenaries against public and private property has spared no one. It has impacted agricultural, industrial, and pastoral projects in both rural and urban areas. Even cities and neighborhoods have been struck by this devastation, turning into ghost towns. The city of Babanusa stands as a model of the destruction that has befallen these cities...
Contact Us
Address: Sudan News Agency (SUNA) Building, Jamhoria Street, Khartoum - Sudan
Mobile:+249 909220011 / +249 912307547