At the annual camel beauty festival in the city of Al Musannah (Oman), 20 participants were disqualified before the competition began. The reason was traces of cosmetic procedures detected by veterinarians.
During the inspection, it was revealed that the animals had been injected with Botox to enhance their lips and muscle relaxants to soften their facial expressions. Silicone and wax fillers were also used to adjust the shape of their humps, while hormonal drugs were utilized to accelerate muscle growth.
Experts emphasized that such manipulations not only violate competition rules but also pose a serious threat to the animals' health. Botox can disrupt the functioning of facial muscles, which are important for chewing and drinking, fillers and silicone can cause chronic inflammation and tissue damage, and hormonal injections can lead to endocrine disorders and infertility.
Beauty contests for camels in the Gulf countries are not just agricultural fairs but a whole cultural and social tradition reflecting the prestige and wealth of the owner. These events assess not only the physical characteristics of the camels (head shape, neck length, leg structure, and fur) but also their grace, behavior, and temperament. The prize pool of the largest festivals, such as the Al Dhafra Festival in Abu Dhabi, can reach millions of dollars.
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