Camel beauty contests in Arab countries have begun to witness the use of Botox and plastic surgery.
According to foreign media reports, beauty contests are a centuries-old tradition, but in recent years they have grown controversial owing to scandals involving artificial enhancement.
Last month, 20 camels were disqualified at the Camel Beauty Show Festival 2026 held in the city of Al Musannah in Oman.
Veterinary experts, during inspection, found that several camels had been treated with Botox, lip fillers, silicone implants, artificial inflation of humps and injections of growth hormones. All such methods stand in violation of the rules of the contest.
Traditionally, camel owners enhanced the animals’ appearance through selective breeding and careful upkeep. However, the lure of prize money and breeding rights has led to the spread of artificial methods.
Experts warned that such practices pose dangers to the health of camels. Fillers may cause chronic inflammation, hormone injections may lead to reproductive complications, while Botox may create difficulty in feeding.
Interestingly, five years ago another major scandal saw 43 camels disqualified owing to the use of various cosmetic procedures.
