A patient awaiting medical attention at Dubai Camel Hospital (DCH), which claims to offer the most advanced treatment in the world for camels.
A patient awaiting medical attention at Dubai Camel Hospital (DCH), which claims to offer the most advanced treatment in the world for camels.
Mark Setchfield
Dr Matthew De Bont and Dr Claire Booth are among the specialist staff at the DCH, which has 65 employees and capacity to treat 22 camels simultaneously.<br /><br />The $10 million facility cares for the prized pets of the rich and famous, including camels belonging to Dubai's royal family.
Dr Matthew De Bont and Dr Claire Booth are among the specialist staff at the DCH, which has 65 employees and capacity to treat 22 camels simultaneously.

The $10 million facility cares for the prized pets of the rich and famous, including camels belonging to Dubai's royal family.
Mark Setchfield
Camels are highly prized in the UAE, which has a population of around 300,000.<br /><br />The animals are used in racing and beauty pageants as well as for dairy products.
Camels are highly prized in the UAE, which has a population of around 300,000.

The animals are used in racing and beauty pageants as well as for dairy products.
Mark Setchfield
Medics deal with wounds, abscesses, and even amputations at the facility, often from injuries sustained through racing or fighting. <br /><br />
Medics deal with wounds, abscesses, and even amputations at the facility, often from injuries sustained through racing or fighting.

Mark Setchfield
The operating theater where the "ships of the desert" go under the surgeon's knife.
The operating theater where the "ships of the desert" go under the surgeon's knife.
Mark Setchfield
A hoist used to shift the half-ton beasts into position.
A hoist used to shift the half-ton beasts into position.
Mark Setchfield
Rehabilitation is an important part of treatment. Post-surgery camels go for short runs on the DCH's mini racetrack in order to build up their strength.
Rehabilitation is an important part of treatment. Post-surgery camels go for short runs on the DCH's mini racetrack in order to build up their strength.
Mark Setchfield
DCH director Mohamed Al Bulooshi (l) & director eneral Ali Redha outside the hospital. <br /><br />"Camels will always be a part of our heritage and we must do everything to preserve their futures," says Redha.
DCH director Mohamed Al Bulooshi (l) & director eneral Ali Redha outside the hospital.

"Camels will always be a part of our heritage and we must do everything to preserve their futures," says Redha.
Mark Setchfield
Camel racing is big business in Dubai and the UAE. <br /><br />More than $40 million of prize money was put up for races at Al Marmoom Heritage Festival this year.
Camel racing is big business in Dubai and the UAE.

More than $40 million of prize money was put up for races at Al Marmoom Heritage Festival this year.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The winner of the most prestigious race at Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Festival in December 2019 will earn more than $800,000.
The winner of the most prestigious race at Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Festival in December 2019 will earn more than $800,000.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images/FILE
Al Dhafra festival also includes a beauty pageant in which contestants are judged by <br />criteria including firmness of ear, straightness of leg, and neck length.
Al Dhafra festival also includes a beauty pageant in which contestants are judged by
criteria including firmness of ear, straightness of leg, and neck length.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images/FILE
The National Day Camel Marathon is also a prestigious event, featuring more than 100 participants. <br /><br />The marathon takes places across 15 miles (25km), making it the longest camel race in the United Arab Emirates.
The National Day Camel Marathon is also a prestigious event, featuring more than 100 participants.

The marathon takes places across 15 miles (25km), making it the longest camel race in the United Arab Emirates.
AFRA