Organizers of a prestigious camel beauty contest in Saudi Arabia have disqualified twenty animals from the competition. The decision was made after detecting cosmetic procedures on them, including injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) and other surgical interventions aimed at altering their natural appearance. The contest, part of the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival cultural heritage event, attracts breeders from across the country, offering cash prizes reaching millions of dollars. Event managers condemned the practices as an "act of fraud" and pledged to tighten controls and penalties for dishonest participants. This is another case in recent years where prohibited animal beautification methods have been detected in Saudi breeding.
Twenty camels were disqualified from a prestigious beauty contest at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Saudi Arabia after cosmetic procedures were detected on them. Veterinary checks revealed the animals had undergone unauthorized interventions, including injections of botulinum toxin (commonly Botox), face lifts, and plastic surgeries on ears and lips. The organizers of the event, a key part of Saudi cultural heritage, strongly condemned these practices. The festival's organizing committee described the owners' actions as an "act of fraud." Severe penalties for the perpetrators were announced, including high financial fines and the possibility of a lifetime ban from future contests. Authorities emphasized that such methods not only distort the principles of fair competition but can also pose a threat to the health and welfare of the animals. Camel beauty contests in the region are not only a tradition but also a serious branch of the economy, with prizes reaching tens of millions of Saudi riyals. Camel breeding and showing on the Arabian Peninsula has a centuries-old tradition, dating back to pre-Islamic times. Camels, called "ships of the desert," were fundamental for transport, supply, and tribal prestige. Modern festivals, such as the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival inaugurated in 1999, have transformed this tradition into institutionalized, high-budget events combining culture, tourism, and sport. This is not an isolated incident in the Saudi camel breeding world. In previous years, media have reported other cases of fraud, such as injecting animals with hormones to increase muscle mass, using lip stiffeners to give them a desired shape, or even giving them chewing gum to make camels appear more "pensive." In response to these scandals, authorities are gradually tightening regulations and expanding the system of veterinary controls, including advanced scanners and laboratory tests. Nevertheless, the high financial stakes – a winning specimen can raise the value of an entire herd and bring its owner a fortune – still tempt some breeders to break the rules. <cytat autor=