Knowledge and perception of animal welfare at the camel market in Egypt

Human-related factors, including experience in animal handling and management, and knowledge of animal welfare are crucial to safeguard animal well-being. This study aimed to gain information on camel caretakers’ backgrounds, their perceptions of welfare, and possible associations with camel health and behavioural problems. Sixty-one workers were interviewed at the Birqash camel market in Cairo, Egypt. The interviewees were mainly young men (90.2% <50 years; P<0.001), from Egypt (96.7%; P<0.001), with more than 5 years of experience (93.4%, P<0.001), with a low educational level, who learned about camel handling and management from family and friends (78.7%; P<0.001). Eight were owners, 34 were caretakers and 19 were part-time workers who helped with management and sales operations (e.g., unloading) only on market days. Most of the interviewees judged their ability to identify a camel in distress/pain as “High” or “Very high” (62.3%; P=0.001), reporting monitoring camel eyes (52.6%) or feeding behaviour (42.1%). The interviewees’ understanding of animal welfare was, however, low, missing the overall meaning. Moreover, 7 interviewees (11.5%) did not know at all the meaning of animal welfare. In general, animal welfare was defined mainly referring to only two out of the four welfare principles (45.9%; P<0.001). Good feeding and good health were often considered, while good housing and appropriate behaviour were reported rarely. As expected, interviewees’ age, experience, and educational level were associated with the welfare status of the camels in their care, which often was under minimal standards. Education on camel behaviour and welfare is therefore recommended for all people who handle and manage camels.