Abu Dhabi camels are getting a head start at races across the UAE.
Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general is famed for its camels but here in the Abu Dhabi desert they are making champions.
Out in the Abu Dhabi desert sits a collection of inconspicuous buildings where scientists research results in the best of the flock.
The camel still holds strong in local culture. This is despite that today the UAE is well served by a network of superhighways on which 4x4s cruise from emirate to emirate.
“Camels are still the mainstay of the UAE,” says Khalifa Al Nuaimi, CEO – Advanced Scientific Group, “and were once the only form of transportation.”
The Advanced Scientific Group (ASG) is an unassuming collection of small rise buildings set back on Abu Dhabi’s Sweihan Road and are surrounded by the endless desert on all sides. But it is here at this centre that champions are made.
The centre sprang into life in 1989 under the guise of the Veterinary Research Centre, which was founded by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, and HH Sheikh Hazzaa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the National Security Advisor.
In 2009, the name Advanced Scientific Group was inaugurated, as an umbrella of Veterinary Research Center, Advanced Genetic Center, Camel Auction Unit, Camel Breeding and Treatment Unit, and Camel Feed and Pharmacy Unit.
The centre, among other things, provides the latest technology in camel breeding, embryo transfer, and camel infertility treatment and to date there has been more than 7000 embryo transfer babies.
The centre also provides camel DNA profiling and parentage analysis and the centre is considered to be the largest ultra-modern camel breeding facility in the world.
It is also an important part of local culture and the community that it serves. The first camel to be conceived via embryo transfer occurred in 1993.
It was a first for the UAE, as was the use of a microchip to identify the calves date of birth.
“For 30 years now, all camels born at the centre have been registered,” says Khalifa Al Nuaimi, who, from Al Ain, grew up surrounded by camels.
“In the last 15 years we have included the DNA to the registration details of each new born camel.”
In 2005, the first calf to be conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the world was at the Advanced Scientific Group, according to Khalifa.
Many of the camels born at the centre go on to be race champions, with one calf fetching, at auction, six million dirhams.
The said camel’s forefathers were from a long line of pedigree winners.
Also, a world first, was the camel auction at which the prized calf was sold in 2005 the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre.
“Auctions happened once a year at first, now its twice a year, with one in Al Wathba and five across the UAE,” says Khalifa.
The centre, which also offers breeding facilities for free to local camel owners, provides medical treatment for sick camels, access to dieticians, nutritionist who undertake research on producing the best feed that brings these desert wanderers into season to produce champions of the desert.
