African camels struggle with extreme heat, impacting livelihoods and health
Camels, traditionally known as "ships of the desert," are facing severe health issues due to escalating temperatures in Africa, particularly in the Afar region of Ethiopia. Nomads in Afar rely on camel caravans to transport salt, but breeders like Ali Umer report extreme suffering among their animals. Umer, who owns around 500 camels, has witnessed his camels develop blisters on their feet, watery eyes, and hair loss from the scorching sand. Tragically, he lost eight camel calves in the last month alone due to the intense heat, noting that even the wind now brings hot air. Scientists and animal welfare professionals confirm that extreme heat leads to stress, exhaustion, dehydration, and increased disease incidence in camels. Indirect effects include water scarcity, reduced vegetation, and diminished shade. Studies in Ethiopia and Somalia highlight the detrimental impact of rising temperatures and climate variability on camel health, productivity, and reproductive capacity. In Somalia, drought-related camel mortality has reached crisis levels, affecting nearly 46% of herding households, with mortality rates as high as 73% in the Sool region. Experts attribute this extreme heat to rapid evaporation of water from the soil and water bodies, exacerbating drought conditions. Veterinarians in Kenya are observing a significant rise in hyperthermia cases and a more than 15% increase in camel deaths in Marsabit County over the past two years. Similar trends are reported in Algeria, where camel mortality during summer heatwaves has increased significantly. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) notes that extreme heat episodes are becoming more frequent in North Africa, with average temperatures rising significantly. While camels can tolerate temperatures up to around 40°C by adjusting their body temperature and minimizing water loss through sweat, prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding 41°C to 45°C, especially with reduced vegetation and water sources, causes severe thermal stress. This stress compromises their immune systems, damages white blood cells, and leads to a slowdown in metabolism, resulting in lethargy, reduced food consumption, decreased milk production, and reproductive disorders. Researchers in Morocco have observed weight loss, inflammation, muscle and bone diseases, kidney dysfunction, and infectious diseases in heat-stressed camels. To cope, some herders in Ethiopia are migrating their camels to southern regions with better water and vegetation availability, a move distinct from seasonal pastoralist displacement.
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in North and East Africa are placing significant stress on camel populations, challenging their physiological resilience and impacting the livelihoods of communities dependent on them. This situation highlights a systemic vulnerability where climate change directly threatens traditional pastoralist economies. The observed health impacts, including thermal stress, dehydration, and increased mortality, underscore the need for adaptive strategies that go beyond historical coping mechanisms. As ambient temperatures continue to rise, potentially exceeding the adaptive capacity of even these hardy animals, a critical re-evaluation of livestock management practices, water resource allocation, and the development of climate-resilient breeds or alternative economic models may become necessary. The long-term sustainability of camel husbandry in these regions will likely depend on proactive interventions that address both the direct effects of heat and the indirect consequences of environmental degradation.
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