Camels, often referred to as "ships of the desert," are increasingly struggling with the extreme heat and drought conditions across Africa. Herders and experts report that rising temperatures are leading to severe health problems for these animals, including blistering on their feet, eye irritation, and skin damage from hot sand.
Ali Umer, a camel herder from the Afar region in Ethiopia, described the harsh conditions. "I can see my camels suffering from extreme heat," he told the BBC. "They get blisters on their feet, their eyes become watery and the hot sand burns their skin and eats up their hair when they are sitting." Umer, who owns approximately 500 camels, has lost eight camel calves in the past month due to the intense heat. He noted that even the wind, which previously offered some cooling, now carries heat, a drastic change he has observed in recent years.
These observations are consistent with findings from scientists and animal welfare workers, who cite stress, fatigue, and dehydration as direct impacts of extreme heat on camels. The higher temperatures also indirectly affect the animals by diminishing water sources, reducing vegetation, and decreasing shaded areas, further exacerbating their suffering.
The Afar region, located in north-eastern Ethiopia, is known as one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, where nomadic communities often rely on camel caravans to transport salt across the desert. The escalating environmental challenges threaten not only the well-being of these animals but also the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.
Studies and reports highlight a general increase in disease prevalence among livestock in areas experiencing prolonged heat stress. The long-term consequences for camel populations and the communities that rely on them are a growing concern as climate change continues to intensify.