Saudi Arabia is rolling out a new system to formally register its vast camel population by introducing official passports for the animals, a move aimed at improving oversight and management of one of the kingdom’s most valued assets.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said the initiative is designed to strengthen productivity within the camel sector while creating a comprehensive and reliable national database.
Images shared by the ministry on social media showed the newly issued document: a green passport bearing the Saudi coat of arms alongside a gold-embossed camel.
According to state broadcaster Al Ekhbariya, the camel passport will help regulate buying, selling, and transportation by ensuring proper documentation, safeguarding owners’ rights, and simplifying the process of proving ownership. Authorities believe the system will bring greater transparency to a sector that plays an important economic and cultural role.
Government figures from 2024 estimate that Saudi Arabia is home to roughly 2.2 million camels, making it one of the largest camel populations in the world.
Camels have historically been central to life in the Arabian Peninsula, serving as a primary means of transport and a symbol of prestige. The kingdom also hosts high-profile camel beauty contests, where prized animals can fetch enormous sums, occasionally prompting attempts to gain unfair advantages.
