News Excerpt:

The United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids (IYC 2024) to highlight the significant contributions of camelids – alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas – to the livelihoods of millions in over 90 countries.

• Importance in Livelihoods: Camelids, thriving in harsh environments, play a crucial role in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like addressing hunger, poverty eradication, women's empowerment, and sustainable ecosystem management, especially among Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Resilience and Essential Resources: These animals exhibit remarkable resilience in extreme climates and provide essentials like milk, meat, and fiber where other livestock struggle, significantly impacting the culture, economy, food security, and livelihoods, especially in Andean highlands and arid areas in Africa and Asia.
• Goals of IYC 2024: The International Year of Camelids aims to raise global awareness about their untapped potential, necessitating increased investment in the camelid sector. It advocates for research, capacity development, and innovative practices and technologies while highlighting their role in enhancing resilience to climate change.
• Endorsement and Support: The designation was recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2020. Positive feedback from stakeholders, including the International Camel Organization (ICO), signifies recognition and support within the camelid community.

About Camelids: Camelids are a fascinating group of even-toed ungulates belonging to the family Camelidae. They possess remarkable adaptations that enable them to thrive in arid and high-altitude environments, making them well-suited for harsh terrains across the globe. There are two primary classifications within the Camelidae family namely old world camelids and new world camelids.

Old World Camelids: These are primarily found in northern Africa and central Asia. Notable examples include:

• Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius): Known for their single hump on their backs, these camels are native to regions in northern Africa and the Middle East.
• Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus): These camels have two distinctive humps on their backs and are found in Central Asia. The males of Old World Camelids possess a unique feature called the "dulla," which is an organ situated in the throat area. This organ is believed to play a role in male dominance behavior and is also associated with attracting females during mating rituals.

South American Camelids (New World Camelids): This category includes llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. They are native to South America and exhibit their own distinct characteristics and adaptations.

• Llamas: Known for their use as pack animals and for their wool, llamas are domesticated and have been bred for various purposes.
• Alpacas: Also domesticated, alpacas are primarily bred for their high-quality fiber used in textiles.
• Guanacos: They are wild camelids found in South America and are closely related to llamas.
• Vicuñas: These are wild camelids inhabiting the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains. Known for their fine and valuable wool, they are protected species due to their significance and endangered status.

Conclusion: IYC 2024 serves as a significant platform to spotlight the diverse roles, cultural significance, and untapped potential of camelids. It stresses the urgent need for increased attention, support, and investment in this crucial sector to benefit communities worldwide.