A cosmetic scandal rocked a major camel beauty competition in Oman after 20 camels were disqualified at the 2026 Camel Beauty Show Festival in Al Musanaa. Veterinary inspections found signs of Botox, fillers, silicone, and hormone treatments.
The festival, organized by the Camel Club and the Oman Camel Racing Federation, is a key regional event celebrating camel breeding and heritage. Officials said the removals were part of efforts to protect the contest’s integrity and crack down on manipulation.
Judges evaluate camels based on coat quality, neck length and width, head features, and hump shape. Inspectors reported procedures such as lip-enhancing injections, nose reshaping, Botox to alter facial appearance, silicone wax for humps, and hormones to boost muscle tone.
Similar cases have surfaced at major Gulf festivals, including Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, where dozens of camels have been banned in past years for cosmetic tampering. With prize pools reaching tens of millions of dollars, the stakes remain high.
Experts warn such enhancements can cause infections, tissue damage, inflammation, and hormonal complications. Organizers said only natural features will be accepted going forward, and the disqualified camels were returned to their owners.