Saudi Arabia introduces official passport system for camels

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new system to formally register camels across the Kingdom, placing ownership, identification and health records under a single official process.

The initiative, known as the Camel Passport, was launched on Tuesday by Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti as part of government efforts to regulate the camel sector under the National Program for the Development of the Livestock and Fisheries Sector.

Officials said the move addresses long-standing gaps in documentation within the camel market by creating a unified digital record for each animal. The system is intended to support regulation, improve service delivery and strengthen confidence in camel trading and breeding activities.

Under the initiative, every registered camel will receive an official passport that records ownership, breed and health information. The ministry said this will allow authorities to respond more effectively to veterinary needs and ensure clearer oversight of the sector.

Each passport includes detailed identification data such as a microchip number, passport number, camel name, birth date, breed, gender, colour and place of birth. The document also records the date and location of issuance and includes photographs of the camel from both sides to prevent misidentification.

The ministry said the initiative establishes a recognised reference for the camel sector and supports better organisation of one of the Kingdom’s key livestock industries.