Traders struggle to get a camel, that has been sold for slaughter, onto a lorry in Al Ain. Stephen Lock / The National
Traders struggle to get a camel, that has been sold for slaughter, onto a lorry in Al Ain. Stephen Lock / The National

Camels stressed out with ‘erratic’ driving, study finds



Many UAE residents have undoubtedly felt their blood pressure rise while navigating traffic on local roads, but such stress is not confined only to people.

In new research published in an UAE scientific journal, camels, too, have been shown to become anxious when travelling by road.

In the Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, the study on the dromedary, or Arabian camel, found that stress indicators in the animals’ blood rose when they were transported by road.

The study is thought to be one of the first demonstrating increased stress levels in camels because of transport.

The temperament of the animals is such that Dr Bernard Faye, a scientist at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development in Montpellier, and a co-author of the study, is “not necessarily surprised” by the findings.

“The camel is very sensitive to any change in his life. For example, in our farm it is quite impossible to force the camel to change the side of entry into the milking parlour,” he said.

Such is their reluctance to travel, he said, that often the animals would not walk onto a transporter vehicle.

Instead, they have to be lifted on.

The study, carried out in Morocco, involved blood tests on male camels that had been transported about 354 kilometres, 152km or 80km to a Casablanca slaughterhouse.

Levels of the hormone cortisol, released in response to stress, were highest in the group that had travelled the farthest, less in the camels transported 152km and lower still in the 80km group.

The same pattern was seen with glucose and lactic acid, both of which increase in response to stress.

Dr Troy Gibson, a lecturer in animal welfare science at London’s Royal Veterinary College who was not connected with the study, said there were “a whole host of physical, mental and metabolic issues that can be associated with transport”.

“The style of driving has a huge impact on the distress and physical discomfort during all forms of transport,” he said, noting that more “erratic” drivers tended to stress out the animals more, with braking and the motion of travel both leading to anxiety.

To protect the camels’ welfare, it was important to minimise stress during travel, including providing them with something to drink, according to the study’s lead author, Prof Mohammed El Khasmi, of University Hassan II in Casablanca.

“As transport is a stress even for (travel) experienced animals, it may be reasonable to give a rest period during travelling, food and water,” he said.

The animals should also be given health checks before travel and on arrival.

Whether camels suffer more during transport than other large animals was “difficult to say”, Dr Faye said, noting that creatures such as sheep that were typically transported in groups probably found it easier.

Camels that have been transported frequently were likely to encounter fewer problems.

In racing camels, for instance, the stress is non-existent.

As a follow-up, scientists would next like to look at how transport affects camel-meat quality, as stress-related substances were likely to remain in the flesh after slaughter.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

Key facilities
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  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.

The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?

My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.

The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.

So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.

 

 

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The team

Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi