Camels of Somalia: from urban to airport

Somalis say that there are 7 million camels across the plains of Somalia. Some say more. Somalia has the largest population of camels in the world.

The hot, dry environment makes camels a significant livestock species for pastoralists. There are five different types of camel in Somalia all from the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedaries): Benadir, Ogaden, Mugugh, Dolbahanta, and Guban. Gestation is about 13 months and the young reach maturity at age 4 or 5 years. A female usually breeds every alternate year, giving birth to about 8-10 calves during her lifetime of 25-30 years.

Both camel meat (lean and low in cholesterol) and camel milk (rich in Vitamin C) are on the menu in Somalia.

The photographs were taken in urban Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland (camels eating the tree leaves), on the plains of Puntland near Qardho, and at Bosasso airport – on the runway.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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