TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

3« IMPROVEMENT OF TROPIOAL AND SUBTROPIOAL RANGELANDS
• By taking a spectrum of vegetation not used by the other
domesticants, camels would increase the productivity of all four
ranches.
• By eating many plants that grow among grass but are ignored
by cattle, sheep, and goats, the camels would improve the pasture
for the other animals.
• Ifcamels provided milk for herdsmen normally dependent on
a supply from ranch beef cows, beef calves would not be deprived
and would show better growth.
• By providing transport, camels would be an economic substitute
for other forms in moving herdsmen's chattels, rations, and
equipment, thus enabling the cattle herds to make best use of available
gruing (particularly on Galana) .
• A base would be established for exploring and, later, exploiting
an increasing demand for camel meat in certain Kenya towns,
and the market for live camels in Arab states.
• A base would be established for developing a wider trade in
camels from Kenya's stock of more than 600,000.
• The poaaibilities ofmaking camel milk cheese and using camel
wool could be investigated.
MANAGEMENT AND ADAPTABRITY
The camels are herded during the day and penned in thorn
enclosures (6omu or zari6u) at night. These enclosures are in close
proximity to others holding cattle, sheep, and goats. Their use is
primarily as protection against predators and thieves. They are
moved to new locations every few weeks.
The camels withstood the transfer from low altitudes and very
arid climates to the high altitudes and slightly wetter conditions of
01 Maisor, Kisima, and Ngare Ndare. Some were in poor condition
on arrival, but thrived and improved rapidly.
They are provided with a mixed mineral lick containing phosphate,
calcium, salt, and trace elements for which they show greater
appetite than cattle. These minerals are thought to be responsible
for a better bone structure apparent in the young animals grown on
the ranches.
The Somali camels from Wajir, Moyale, and Garba Tula were
tame and tractable. ThOBe from Turkana and Pokot in the Rift Valley
were nervous, head shy, and inclined to kick. Gentle handling and
kindness changed this and they are now docile and easily managed.