SLAUGHTER OF THE DROMEDARY (SINGLE-HUMPED) CAMEL (Camelus dromedarius) FOR MEAT IN A SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT OF NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Monthly records on camels slaughtered for meat from 1982 to 1989 at the Maiduguri abattoir were collected and analysed to determine the seasonal and annual trends in slaughter and meat supply from the dromedary or single- humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). There were highly significant (P<.01) seasonal and yearly variations in the number of camels slaughtered. In any given year, greatest numbers were slaughtered by March-May Which resents the last stages of the long sahelian dry season. Lowest numbers were slaughtered towards the end of the rainy season. About equal numbers of males and females were slaughtered annually. In 1989 alone, up to 13% of the females slaughtered were pregnant. An average of 9,150 camels were slaughtered yearly giving an estimated carcass yield of about 2,596,397kg of camel meat per annum. Camels slaughtered within the three years of 1984/1986 represented about 61% of the total for the eight years. The period from 1983 to 1986 was another drought period in the sudano-sahelian West Africa. Attention should be given to our draught animals hitherto neglected so that their drought, meat, milk and other potentials could be exploited to the full benefit of our national economy.