Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of a landmark project to issue passports for camels at a global level, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, the project was inaugurated by Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti.
This is a move described by officials as a qualitative step toward regulating the sector and enhancing the kingdom’s credibility in local and international markets.
Saudi officials said the camel passport will function as an official identification and regulatory document, aimed at organizing the camel sector, documenting ownership and identity, and improving service efficiency.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen market confidence domestically and abroad by linking camels to verified health and regulatory information.
Under the scheme, comprehensive data will be recorded for each camel, including ownership details and breed classification.
The passport will serve as an officially recognized reference to support more efficient oversight and services across the sector.
The camel passport includes a microchip number, passport number, and date of birth, along with the animal’s name, breed, sex, color, and place of birth.
It also carries photographs of the camel to ensure accurate identification, officials said.
In addition, the document contains a dedicated vaccination record that clearly documents veterinary immunizations, certified by the attending veterinarian’s name, signature, and official stamp.
The ministry said the passport system will also help regulate camel sales and trading by tightening controls on transport, sales procedures and official documentation.
According to Saudi officials, more than 2.2 million camels are registered as part of the kingdom’s national heritage.
The Riyadh region accounts for the highest number of registered camels, with more than 656,000 animals.
Saudi Arabia ranks among the world’s leading camel-owning countries.
A census released by the ministry in June 2025 put the total camel population at 2,235,297 heads, while unofficial estimates suggest the number of camel owners nationwide stands at around 80,000.