Persian Camels in Iran

Raising Camels is still a mainstay of the Baluch way of life. Zahedan is just south of where Afghanistan Pakistan and Iran come together.

Camels roaming the desert in Zahedan, capital of southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province

Moghan Two-Humped Camels Near Extinction

Vast terrains in Ardebil province which used to be populated by about 2,000 two-humped camels years ago are today witness to the rapid extinction of the species.
Home to 70 percent of the two-humped camel population earlier, Ardebil has now become the habitat of a small number of such animals. According to a report by IRNA, there is currently only one camel-keeper in Ardebil which still owns and breeds two-humped camels. The camels used to play a significant part in tribal life and preservation of environment, especially in Dasht-e Moghan (Moghan Plain), years ago.

The number of two-humped camels has shrunken due to absence of conservation plans.
Photo: Iran Daily

Admitting that the camels are on the brink of extinction, the keeper, Ali Jafari, recalled, “The number of two-humped camels in the province was 100 in 2000 which declined to 55 in 2002. The animal population has further shrunken to 20 in the current year due to absence of conservation efforts.“
Jafari mentioned, “Two-humped camels can be of great help during tribal migration through mountainous routes. They also can help revive the provincial prairies.“
Director general of Ardebil Tribal Affairs, Ajdar Mohammadi, acknowledged that two-humped camels in Moghan Plain are on the verge of extinction--a condition which he attributes to tribes’ access to vehicle transport and lack of efforts to preserve the animal.
He warned the loss of camels has disrupted regional ecosystem, prompting the growth of invasive plant species in pastures.
“Holding special festivals, promoting camel breeding know-how, encouraging locals to breed two-humped camels, informing authorities of the extinction threat and finding potential markets for the animal are certain strategies which can help prevent the species from disappearing,“ he concluded. http://iran-daily.com/1384/2406/html/panorama.htm

Two-Humped Camel Calf Born Through AI

First two-humped camel calf whose mother became pregnant through artificial insemination (AI) was born with normal weight and shape in Meshkinshahr, northwestern Ardebil province.
The pregnancy of the one-humped mother resulted from artificial fertilization with frozen-thawed semen of a two-humped camel.
Such ground-breaking project was made possible thanks to zealous efforts of domestic scientists working with Meshkinshahr Agriculture Jihad Department’s Livestock Research Center, IRNA reported.
Head of the project, Amir Niasari, stated that domestic specialists had innovated a new method for diluting and freezing semen. They registered their novel technique as a patent which is believed to help reproduce the endangered indigenous herbivorous animal.
The expert believes that the population of the desert-dweller mammal would double within two years should the officials support the research project and prepare the ground for sharing experiences with foreign specialists.
He cited figures based on which a number of cattle indigenous to different regions of the country such as the Sistan-Baluchestan cow, buffalos and above all the Moghan two-humped camels are on the verge of extinction or a have rapid population decline.
Niasari unveiled, “At present, only 100 two-humped camels (25 bulls and 75 cows) are living in Ardebil province.“
He warned that the rare animal would be declared extinct within a few years unless its birth rate increases.
The official blamed excessive slaughtering, change in tribal lifestyle as well as sales of the animal to neighboring states as the reasons behind the shrinking population of two-humped camels. http://iran-daily.com/1384/2524/html/panorama.htm

From: Pastoral life in Iran – a changing landscape

Tarrahom Jahedi: It’s also a question of changing needs. We used to breed camels for transporting goods, but now people use cars – even pastoralists use them because after the Revolution many new roads were built all over the country. In the past it took about 16 days and 10-20 camels to migrate. Now with cars and trucks there’s no need for camels.

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