SLAUGHTER OF THE SINGLE-HUMPED CAMEL (Camelus dromedarius) FOR MEAT AT THE SOKOTO ABATTOIR, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Daily records on camels Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered for meat at the Sokoto abattoir in Nigeria, were collected for a period of 12 months (January to December 1992) and analysed to determine the rate and seasonal trend in slaughter and to acertain the accompanying fetal wastage. There was no significant (P>.01) seasonal variation in the number of camels slaughtered. A total of 3798 camels (estimated carcass yield of about 1077.7t of camel meat) were slaughtered during the period under investigation. One thousand, six hundred and seventy-seven (44.2%) of the camels sluaghtered were mates whilst 2121 (55.8) were females. Of the female animals slaughtered, 522 (24.06%) were pregnant.