The death of over 200 camels in the Wadi Al-Dawasir region of Saudi Arabia last week sent ripples of concern across the lower-income levels of Saudi society, where camel herding represents a major source of income. There was fear that the deaths might somehow be related to an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth (’foot-and-mouth‘ in the US) disease in the UK and that the problem might spread.

Saudi Gazette reports that investigators are now convinced that the deaths resulted from some sort of toxin in the fodder given to the camels. Some reports suggest aflatoxin, a mold that grows on certain cereal grains and peanuts. Others aren’t sure if it might not have been an accident in the processing of the fodder, such as the introduction of a pesticide or possibly, a combination of two or more problems. In any event, the deaths followed a change in feed as the traditional barley became too expensive and new substitutes were found (See High Oil Prices and the Saudi Economy).

Toxins Caused Camel Deaths
Joe Avanceña

THE Ministry of Agriculture is conducting thorough laboratory tests to ascertain what kind of toxins caused the death of 207 camels in Wadi Al-Dawasir last week.

“Our investigations indicate that the camels died after ingesting some kind of fungus or fungi, which are toxic,” said Dr. Mohammad Al-Saif, an official of the Department of Animal Research at the Ministry of Agriculture.

He told the Saudi Gazette it would take several days or a week more before results of the investigation can be made public.

“The ministry wanted to make sure what kind of toxic materials were eaten by the animals so that precautionary steps could be taken in the future. We have to identify the kind of toxin or toxins that killed the animals,” Al-Saif said.

The 207 camels did not die of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Mohammed Al-Shiha, Assistant Deputy Minister of Agriculture, confirmed last week.
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