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05-06-2023, 07:53 PM
Radio Sintonia:
The Canarian Camel, an animal with the ability to adapt to the times.
For years, camels have coexisted with the majoreros serving as livestock or pack animals, even becoming a tourist attraction on the island. According to scientists' predictions, this animal could play a fundamental role in the fight against climate change and desertification, thanks to its ability to adapt to arid climates.
Arrival of the camel to the Canary Islands
The history of the camel in the Canary Islands dates back to the fifteenth century when Juan de Bethencourt and later Diego García de Herrera introduced this animal to the archipelago when returning from their incursions to the African coasts in search of slaves. Motivated by the ability to adapt to the arid areas of the island, they introduced the first camels in the Canary Islands.
Two centuries later, the capacity of these animals is confirmed, so much so that in the seventeenth century, different authors report a census on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote of between 2,000 and 1,700 animals.
Fundamental role in the economy and development of our island
At the beginning of the twentieth century rainfed agriculture begins to experience a remarkable development in the islands, so the camel becomes an indispensable animal for this activity, thus becoming a symbol of status and prosperity among farmers.
Likewise, the role of the camel was not only limited to agriculture, its use as a pack animal was essential to move stones and sand, necessary for the construction of terraces on the slopes of the mountain, where grains and cereal were grown.
With the passage of time and technological advances, mechanization took away the prominence of these animals in rural life. However, from the 40s, the camel is incorporated into the tourist field as a claim, in such a way that it was used to give walks to tourists visiting the eastern islands of the archipelago, which has made it continue to maintain its breeding. Today, it is a regulated activity, in which each camel has its own license.
Recognition and value of the Canarian Camel
At present, the commercialization of camel milk and derived products is booming due to its properties, among which its high protein value, its easy digestion, as well as being an antioxidant, among many others. There are several countries that have begun to produce different products, not only food but also cosmetics made from camel milk.
The breed of the Canarian Camel is classified as autochthonous of the archipelago and the only one in Europe. In recent years associations such as the Association of Breeders of the Canarian Camel has developed a Plan for the Conservation of the Canarian Camel, where they bet on the recognition and protection of this breed.
Source: Asociación de Criadores del Camello Canario (ACCC)
The Canarian Camel, an animal with the ability to adapt to the times.
For years, camels have coexisted with the majoreros serving as livestock or pack animals, even becoming a tourist attraction on the island. According to scientists' predictions, this animal could play a fundamental role in the fight against climate change and desertification, thanks to its ability to adapt to arid climates.
Arrival of the camel to the Canary Islands
The history of the camel in the Canary Islands dates back to the fifteenth century when Juan de Bethencourt and later Diego García de Herrera introduced this animal to the archipelago when returning from their incursions to the African coasts in search of slaves. Motivated by the ability to adapt to the arid areas of the island, they introduced the first camels in the Canary Islands.
Two centuries later, the capacity of these animals is confirmed, so much so that in the seventeenth century, different authors report a census on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote of between 2,000 and 1,700 animals.
Fundamental role in the economy and development of our island
At the beginning of the twentieth century rainfed agriculture begins to experience a remarkable development in the islands, so the camel becomes an indispensable animal for this activity, thus becoming a symbol of status and prosperity among farmers.
Likewise, the role of the camel was not only limited to agriculture, its use as a pack animal was essential to move stones and sand, necessary for the construction of terraces on the slopes of the mountain, where grains and cereal were grown.
With the passage of time and technological advances, mechanization took away the prominence of these animals in rural life. However, from the 40s, the camel is incorporated into the tourist field as a claim, in such a way that it was used to give walks to tourists visiting the eastern islands of the archipelago, which has made it continue to maintain its breeding. Today, it is a regulated activity, in which each camel has its own license.
Recognition and value of the Canarian Camel
At present, the commercialization of camel milk and derived products is booming due to its properties, among which its high protein value, its easy digestion, as well as being an antioxidant, among many others. There are several countries that have begun to produce different products, not only food but also cosmetics made from camel milk.
The breed of the Canarian Camel is classified as autochthonous of the archipelago and the only one in Europe. In recent years associations such as the Association of Breeders of the Canarian Camel has developed a Plan for the Conservation of the Canarian Camel, where they bet on the recognition and protection of this breed.
Source: Asociación de Criadores del Camello Canario (ACCC)