Poisoned food kills almost 2,000 camels
United Press International
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 27 (UPI) — Almost 2,000 camels have died in Saudi Arabia in the past month due to animal feed that is suspected to have been poisoned.
The country’s Agriculture Ministry said tests revealed the feed was contaminated by insecticide, the BBC reported.
Camel owners have been promised compensation from King Abdullah. Camels are often traded for thousands of dollars each and are used for racing and as a source of meat.
The deaths, which have occurred throughout the country, involve symptoms such as vomiting, sweating and excitability, the BBC said.
“Veterinary experts say the symptoms indicate cases of poisoning and not an infectious disease,” Agriculture Minister Fahd Bilghoneim told a news conference. “And this accords with what camel owners have said about animal feed they bought.”
