Camels Poised for a European Comeback

Camels may not be the first animals that come to mind when thinking of Europe, yet they have a rich history on the continent, having been domesticated thousands of years ago. Their numbers dwindled during the Middle Ages, but recent trends indicate a resurgence in camel breeding, driven by tourism and a growing demand for camel milk. A research team, including members from Austria, estimates that there are currently around 6,000 camels living in Europe, and they may soon see a revival due to climate change.

While the sight of New World camels, such as llamas and alpacas, has become commonplace in various breeding farms across Europe, traditional Old World camels, including the one-humped dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) and the two-humped Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), remain rare. The domestication of the dromedary in Southeast Arabia and the Bactrian camel in Central Asia allowed these species to spread throughout different regions, where they served as pack, draft, and riding animals. Their meat and milk were also utilized.

Dromedaries are primarily found in African countries, the Middle East, and South Asia, while Bactrian camels are native to Central Asia. The use of camels in Europe began during Roman times, where their speed and endurance made them valuable to the Roman military, logistics, and as symbols of wealth and status. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remains of dromedaries, Bactrian camels, and their hybrids across Europe, including France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria, England, Hungary, and Switzerland.

In the early Middle Ages, camels continued to play significant roles, not just as cargo animals but also in religious and noble ceremonies, as well as in public humiliation rituals. However, by the late 15th century, camels became scarce on the European mainland, appearing mostly in exotic collections among the aristocracy during the Renaissance.

Recent research suggests that camels could soon reclaim their place in Europe. The researchers note that climate change and increasing desertification may enhance the appeal of camels due to their adaptability to arid environments, along with their unique behavioral traits and the nutritional benefits of their milk.

This trend has already begun, particularly in Western Europe, where camel breeding has experienced a revival over the past three decades, with a focus on tourism and milk production. Numerous camel milk farms have emerged in countries such as Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. This increase in demand is largely attributed to consumers from regions where camel milk is a traditional product, as well as its rising popularity due to perceived health benefits.

The research team has created an interactive map providing details about camel farms and breeding centers across Europe. While they do not expect camel farming to reach the prominence of other livestock sectors in the coming decades, it presents an interesting opportunity for agricultural diversification and profitability.

However, camel breeders face challenges, including small population sizes and fragmented breeding efforts across wide geographic areas, as well as the absence of a legal framework tailored to camel husbandry. Additionally, the lack of breeding organizations and genetic evaluation systems poses difficulties. Although advancements in genomics have opened new avenues for genetic management, concerns arise regarding the limited genetic diversity among camels in Europe. Researchers suggest that most dromedaries in Europe may trace their lineage back to a common ancestry on the Canary Islands.

For more detailed information, the study can be found in the journal Applied Sciences, and an interactive map of camel farms is available online.