Africa's iconic 'ships of the desert', revered for their remarkable ability to withstand blistering temperatures, are now facing an unprecedented threat as extreme heat continues to grip the continent. From the scorching Afar region of Ethiopia, where camels have been the lifeblood of communities for centuries, to the parched lands of Somalia and Kenya, the consequences of rising temperatures are nothing short of catastrophic.
For herders like Ali Umer from Semera in Ethiopia's Afar region, the effects on their animals are all too apparent. "My camels are suffering terribly," he reports. "They have blisters on their feet, watery eyes, and skin that's burnt to a crisp." In recent years, even the slightest breeze has become an unreliable source of relief from the heat. And it's not just Umer who is witnessing this devastation – scientists and animal welfare experts agree that rising temperatures are leading directly to heat stress, fatigue, dehydration, and increased disease prevalence in camel populations.
The knock-on effects are far-reaching and equally alarming. As temperatures soar, water sources dwindle, vegetation shrinks, and shaded areas become scarce, leaving camels perilously exposed. The Horn of Africa and North Africa, home to an estimated 80% of the world's dromedary camel population, have long relied on these resilient animals for their livelihoods – but now even their remarkable endurance is being stretched to breaking point.
A 2025 study based in southern Ethiopia found that high temperatures and climate variability were having a devastating impact on camel herds, compromising health, productivity, and reproductive performance. In neighbouring Somalia, the situation appears particularly dire: a June 2026 report revealed that drought-related camel mortality was affecting almost half of households owning camels – with a staggering 73% mortality rate in the northern regions.
Veterinary professionals are also sounding the alarm, observing a sharp increase in heat-related illnesses and deaths. Hassan Nuya Guyo, a veterinary officer in Kenya's Marsabit county, notes that his region has seen a 15% rise in camel deaths directly attributable to extreme heat over the past two years – with similar challenges reported in North Africa.