In April, we are traveling to Egypt again to document and evaluate the situation of camels at the large animal markets - particularly in Birqash and Daraw. The animals that are traded there usually have a clear fate: they are either slaughtered directly or sent to the meat market after a short fattening period.
As camel milk is in low demand in Egypt and there is hardly any breeding within the country, Egypt covers its growing demand for camel meat largely through imports from Sudan.
The transport conditions are catastrophic: in Egypt alone, the distance from the quarantine station in Abu Simbel to the largest camel market in Birqash is around 1,200 kilometers - a journey of around 24 hours. During this time, the animals are tied up in a lying position so that as many as possible can be transported in a confined space. They are given neither water nor food during the journey. There are no breaks at all during which they are unloaded. As the vehicles also have no cover, the animals are defenseless in the merciless desert heat.
The consequences of these transports are serious: exhaustion, injuries - and often deaths. Once they arrive at the market, the suffering continues relentlessly: rough unloading processes, mistreatment through beatings, inadequate care and unsuitable handling.
A key problem is that there are no animal welfare laws in Egypt that could legally safeguard animal welfare. This means that there are no binding regulations, no controls, no penalties - and therefore no limits to the suffering inflicted on animals within this system.
We are returning with the aim of taking another close look and documenting the current situation on the markets.
If you would like to find out more about camel transportation along this important route, we recommend our latest dossier:
Animals_Angels_Camels_Dossier_2024.pdf
