Key Points
- National Database: The initiative aims to create a comprehensive registry for Saudi Arabia’s estimated 2.2 million camels, improving livestock management and trade transparency.
- Microchip Integration: Each passport is linked to a mandatory identification microchip, containing the animal’s unique name, breed, and place of origin.
- Health Monitoring: The document serves as a certified health record, tracking vaccinations and veterinary history to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Economic Protection: The system provides legal proof of ownership for over 80,000 breeders, facilitating easier transport and participation in high-stakes festivals.
In a historic move to bridge traditional heritage with modern administrative standards, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has begun issuing official passports for camels. This initiative represents a significant step in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, specifically targeting the modernization of the agricultural sector and the preservation of national identity.
The decision follows the designation of 2024 as the “Year of the Camel” in Saudi Arabia, a year-long celebration intended to highlight the animal’s central role in the Arabian Peninsula’s history. With a domestic population exceeding 2.2 million, camels are no longer just symbols of the past; they are assets in a thriving industry where top-tier specimens can command prices in the millions of dollars.
Digital Tracking and Identification
The newly designed passport is a distinctive green booklet featuring the Saudi national emblem and a golden camel silhouette. Unlike traditional livestock tags, this document is a sophisticated identification tool. Each passport is cross-referenced with a microchip implanted in the animal, providing a digital fingerprint that includes the camel’s name, date of birth, sex, color, and specific breed.
To ensure foolproof identification, the passport also requires professional photographs of the animal taken from both sides. This level of detail is expected to drastically reduce disputes over ownership and streamline the process for insurance and international trade.
A Tool for Public Health and Veterinary Care
Beyond simple identification, the passport acts as a vital health ledger. It contains a dedicated vaccination table where licensed veterinarians must sign and stamp every treatment and immunization. This systematic tracking is crucial for the livestock industry, as it allows authorities to monitor and contain potential outbreaks of zoonotic diseases.
For the Kingdom’s 80,000 camel breeders, this organized approach simplifies the process of obtaining government subsidies and participating in major events like the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. A certified health record increases the market value of the animal and ensures that the meat and milk industries maintain the highest safety standards.
Preserving Cultural Wealth
The history of camels in Saudi Arabia is etched into the landscape, with rock carvings in regions like Al-Ula dating back nearly 7,000 years. For centuries, these animals were the “ships of the desert,” providing transport, nutrition, and clothing to the Bedouin tribes.
By formalizing their status through a passport system, the Saudi government is elevating the camel from a traditional animal to a regulated national asset. This move ensures that as the Kingdom modernizes, the “loyal companion” of the desert remains protected under a robust legal and digital framework, securing its place in the future of the Saudi economy.
