Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Mastitis in Borena Lowland Pastoral Area, Southwestern Ethiopia

The dromedary camel is a multipurpose animal adapted to the harsh environments of semiarid and arid zones, essentially kept for milk and meat production and transportation. It is also a financial reserve (asset) and security (drought-prone risk management) for pastoralists and plays an important role in social prestige and wealth (8, 19). Because of the increasing desertification and recurrence of drought and famine in subSaharan Africa, particularly in East Africa, the camel plays a very significant role as a source of milk, meat and draft power. In Ethiopia camels are kept in the arid and semiarid lowlands of Borena, Ogaden and Afar regions, which cover 50% of the pastoralist areas in the country. The major ethnic groups owning camels in Ethiopia are the Somali, Borena and Afar (21).