A camel beauty contest in Al Musanaa has been hit by controversy after officials disqualified 20 camels for receiving cosmetic enhancements.
The incident occurred during the 2026 Camel Beauty Show Festival, where animals are judged on physical features such as their coat, neck, head, and hump. What was supposed to be a routine inspection quickly turned into one of the biggest crackdowns in the event’s history after veterinary teams discovered multiple cases of cosmetic tampering.
According to reports, inspectors found evidence that some camels had been given Botox injections and fillers to improve their appearance for the competition.
Veterinary teams also reportedly discovered other artificial enhancements. These included hyaluronic acid injections used to plump the animals’ lips, Botox treatments intended to tighten skin, silicone wax applied to enlarge humps, and hormones designed to boost muscle definition.
Officials said some of these substances had been administered in ways meant to avoid detection during normal checks. As a result, inspectors relied on additional medical imaging and on-site testing to uncover the alterations.
The contest is overseen by the Camel Club and the Oman Camel Racing Federation, both of which released a statement following the incident.
In the statement, organizers said they would impose “strict penalties on manipulators” and emphasized their commitment to stopping any attempts to tamper with the animals’ natural features.
Cosmetic enhancements are strictly banned in these competitions, and owners found violating the rules can face penalties including disqualification, fines, or even bans from future events.
Camel beauty contests have become major events across the Gulf region, often offering huge prize pools to breeders.
For example, the well-known King Abdulaziz Camel Festival has offered up to $66 million in prize money. With such large rewards at stake, some breeders have been tempted to artificially enhance their animals’ features despite the risks and rules.
In fact, similar controversies have happened before. In 2021, Saudi officials disqualified 40 camels from the same festival after detecting Botox, fillers, and other injectable substances.
News of the disqualifications quickly spread online, prompting a wave of reactions on social media.
Some users criticized the practice, calling it cruel to the animals. Others focused on the bizarre nature of the situation.
One person wrote: “This is the first time I’m hearing this type of news, but I have many questions to ask.”
Another joked: “First in my bloodline to read this sentence.”
While cosmetic tampering continues to surface in these competitions, organizers say they remain determined to identify and punish anyone attempting to gain an unfair advantage.
