Experts from around the world gathered in Riyadh on Tuesday for the first ever international conference on camel safety, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, which was attended by specialists from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Sudan, the US and Germany, was officially opened by Bandar Al-Qahtani, executive director of the Camel Club, which is based in the Kingdom.
The conference produced a set of recommendations aimed at developing mechanisms and methods to ensure camel safety.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Hawas, head of the veterinary committee to detect tampering at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, outlined a number of measures to deal with bad practices regarding surgical and cosmetic procedures, as well as the methods of detection used.
Qatar demonstrated the limits of legal liability for tampering, while German representatives presented a scientific paper on anesthesia devices and an American expert reviewed the medical composition of camel tissue.
The Sudanese delegation presented a paper on methods for detecting hormones and steroids in camel races.
The conference ended with the delegates expressing their support for further scientific research into tampering, and urging companies working in the field to develop new technologies to help detect and prevent it.
They also proposed a range of educational courses for camel owners and highlighted the importance of following ethical practices in camel competitions and the role the media has to play in raising awareness.
