Camel Was Domesticated for Milk
Camels were originally domesticated for their milk. Following the move to use the camel as a beast of a burden especially for armies, there has been a return to its original task. Camel is no more the animal of the old world, but an animal that may be used to combat the growing desertification and to feed millions of people living in those areas. There are many scientific data concerning the anatomy, physiology, and endocrinology of lactation in camels. It has been shown that camels can provide 15-20 liters of milk per day for a lactation period of up to 18 months. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/216145752_Camel_a_potential_dairy_animal_in_difficult_environments
The camel is a unique and special genetic resource and a great gift of nature to ensure livelihood in difficult situations. Camel! A One in All Creatures. The camel keepers all over the world had evolved a certain type of camel for a specific purpose, i.e. walking ability, adaptation to a certain environment, milk production, etc. The Barela camel was mainly evolved for milk and meat to ensure food availability in the dry and hot ecosystems of its habitat.
Barela camel
Barela camel is another important camel breed of the riverine region of Pakistan, especially Punjab. Actually, Brela is the camel of long traveling camel breeders of the region. They originate their travel from the Thal desert of Sindh and reach up to the Cholistan desert. Barela camel is a good milk-producing animal in Pakistan. Many Brela camels are exported to the Gulf region for milk. Some were exported to the Horn of Africa. The genes of the Barela camels are found in wide and far regions of the dryland of the world.CHOLISTAN (A Future Food Basket)
Some are darker than others. The darker type is better in milk than the light fawn
Habitat of Brela Camel
Barela camel is mostly reared in the Lesser Cholistan and on the fringe irrigated areas of district Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan area. The Barela camels have a heavy strong built and large body frame. The coat color varies from light sandy to dark brown with short coarse hair. Dark brown-colored animals are preferred by local people.
Body Features of Brela Camel
Barela camels have muscular bodies with dome-shaped heads. The head is heavy, with a well-defined looking. The neck is medium-sized with a marked curve. Eyes are bright, round with an alert look, and are protruding. The nose is thick, lips pendulous and ears are rounded and coarse. Shoulders are strong, broad, and well set to the chest. The hump is very well developed in males and is placed in the center of the back. The chest pad is well developed and its touching ground evenly shows good confirmation. Legs are strong, bony, stout, and well separated so that legs do not rub while walking. Hind legs are slightly weaker than forelegs and are inward curved. The footpads are medium-sized and soft. The milk vein is zigzag, wide, and prominent. The milking capacity of the female camel is around 10 liters in an ordinary grazing system. The selected and well-fed animals can produce up to 35 kg of milk per day with a lactation yield of up to 12,000 kg.
Photostory of Brela Camel from Cholistan
Reference
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Herds of Berrela camels are a bit smaller, with an average of 26 animals. The majority of the camels are female. Lactating females range from 23-27% of the herd but depend upon the status of the year (dry or wet). The colors range from blackish brown to light brown while the majority is deep brown, and sometimes white specimens are also found. Berrela is one of the massive Pakistani camel breeds, with a thick wide neck, wide chest, muscular legs and massive head. The hanging lip is one of the salient features. The Berrela camel is mainly raised for milk and male animals are sold for meat. The Berrela is one of the higher milk producing animals, producing up to 22 liters per day with a lactation length of 9 months. Berrela camels are milked very regularly twice a day. The docility of the breed is a special trait; a Berrela camel would allow stranger to milk it any time.
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A camel is a wonderful animal. It’s movement is majestic. It’s looks are a mix of a giraffe, a horse and a dinosaur. It gives milk like a cow. It can run like a horse. It can haul a heavy carriage for a considerable distance. It is a regular mode of transportation of the middle and lower class sections of the society. It does not require the expensive upkeep of a horse. Forgive me if I am wrong. I am no expert on camels. As for meat we Indians do not prefer slaughter of such big animals. It is a shy animal and so bridling it should be easier than a horse I suppose.
Great explanation
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