Twenty camels are disqualified from beauty pageant in Muscat after officials discover Botox and silicone enhancements used to alter appearance

Camel beauty contests are serious business in the Gulf, celebrating heritage, tradition, and the majesty of these desert animals.

But this year in Muscat, the spotlight turned from elegance to scandal after officials discovered twenty camels had been artificially enhanced with cosmetic procedures.

What began as a showcase of Bedouin culture quickly became a cautionary tale about the lengths breeders will go to win.

Judges noticed unusual facial shapes, unnaturally plump lips, and oddly soft facial muscles.

On closer inspection, veterinarians confirmed that these camels had received Botox, silicone wax injections, and muscle relaxants — all strictly prohibited under competition rules.

The Techniques Behind the Cheating

The cosmetic enhancements were surprisingly sophisticated.

Botox was injected into lips, noses, and jaws to smooth and relax muscles, giving camels an appearance judges deemed “perfect.”

Silicone wax injections were used to enlarge humps, and hormones were administered to promote muscle growth and exaggerate size.

Even collagen fillers found their way into camels’ facial features to make them look fuller.

Officials wasted no time. The twenty camels involved were immediately disqualified, and breeders were warned that such manipulation would be met with strict penalties.

Veterinary experts stressed that these interventions could pose health risks for the animals, including complications from repeated injections and hormone treatments.

A Regional Problem, Not a First

Oman is not alone in facing cosmetic camel controversies.

In 2021, Saudi Arabia’s prestigious camel beauty pageant disqualified over forty camels for similar procedures.

Judges there used advanced scanning technology to detect Botox, fillers, and other enhancements.

The Camel Club, the event’s organizer, called for strict enforcement and promised to clamp down on “all acts of tampering and deception” in future competitions.

These pageants are more than cultural celebrations — they’re a multimillion-pound industry.

Winning camels can fetch huge sums at auctions and elevate a breeder’s reputation across the Gulf.

The stakes are so high that some breeders appear willing to risk sanctions and animal health to gain an edge.

The Cultural Stakes

Camel pageants carry deep cultural significance.

They honor Bedouin traditions, and excellence in breeding is seen as a reflection of family prestige.

Tampering with camels undermines not only the competition but also centuries of heritage.

Many traditionalists view cosmetic manipulation as dishonorable, eroding trust in the sport and the values it represents.

What’s Next?

Officials in Oman and across the Gulf are expected to increase veterinary inspections, invest in technology to detect cosmetic enhancements, and enforce harsher penalties for rule-breakers.

There may also be educational campaigns aimed at breeders to emphasize the risks of artificial enhancements and preserve the integrity of the pageants.

Organizers are under pressure to reassure the public and maintain the credibility of these competitions, especially with the international attention they attract each year.

Summary

Twenty camels were disqualified from a beauty pageant in Muscat, Oman, after authorities discovered Botox, silicone injections, and other cosmetic procedures had been used to manipulate their appearance.

This scandal highlights a wider regional problem, as similar incidents have occurred in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf, threatening the integrity of a multimillion-pound industry deeply tied to cultural heritage.

Officials are now stepping up inspections and enforcement to prevent further tampering and protect both the animals and the tradition.