DOHA: At least 15 camels, including some top-breed racing animals, died in a farm in Abu Nakla, and some are battling for life following suspected food poisoning.
The camels, collectively worth millions of riyals, fell sick hours after they consumed fodder imported from a neighbouring country. They died one by one during Eid holidays, for want of timely treatment.
This is the first case of mass death of camels in Qatar, after a similar number of racing camels died in Al Shahaniya, reportedly after insecticides were used to cleanse them of bacteria in 2011.
According to farm owner Saeed Al Qahtani, the animals showed signs of laboured breathing, lethargy and difficulty in walking shortly after they consumed the fodder.
Al Qahtani said he tried his best to save them, but no veterinary doctor was available during the Eid holidays. “The fodder was imported from a neighbouring country. The camels developed symptoms within a few hours after taking their feed. I rushed to the Animal Resources Department, which is under the Ministry of Environment, but couldn’t find any veterinary doctor there,” Al Sharq quoted him as saying.
Later, he managed to get in touch with a veterinary physician at a private clinic, but it was too late. “The veterinary physician prescribed some medicines, but it was too late for some camels.
“I had 45 camels, now I am left with 30 and many of them are still showing symptoms of ailments. Some of the dead camels were regular participants at major racing competitions. Their death is a great loss for me,” Al Qahtani added.
The incident has raised questions about the conditions of camel farms and the quality of imported camel feed.
Al Qahtani said the environs around many farms is not fit for a healthy living for camels.
There is a tendency of dumping waste and carcasses near some camel farms. Concerned civic authorities should take strict action against law-breakers, he added. It’s not clear whether the imported feed is properly stored by dealers. It is not ideal to store fodder for a long time in freezer and feed camels without testing the toxic levels of nitrate fodder is known to develop over time, say experts.
Al Qahtani urged authorities to introduce tough regulations for animal feed imports. “Authorities should have stricter methods to evaluate the quality of animal feed and monitor if it’s stored properly by distributors,” he said.
“I didn’t keep the animal feed for many days, but used it within a few days after purchase, but I have no idea if it was spoilt and not suitable for animal consumption,” he said.
Al Qahtani said the veterinary doctors should be available even during holidays to attend to emergency cases. The animal welfare department should have a facility to conduct periodic health check-ups
of camels, especially during summer.
The Peninsula
