By Dead Sea, camels graze at Earth’s lowest place

KIBBUTZ KALYA, West Bank—Each winter, camels lope around the moon-like desert landscape of the lowest place on Earth under the watchful eyes of their Bedouin Arab herders, in an ancient tradition passed from father to son over the generations.

Ali El Guran brings his herd of more than 100 camels from southern Israel to the Dead Sea every November to pasture. It's birthing season and this year, 30 camels are pregnant.

Bedouin lifestyles have changed dramatically in the last few decades, with many leaving their traditional nomadic ways to settle in towns of southern Israel, trading their camels for pickup trucks and living off tourists instead of goat herds.

But for three months a year, El Guran and the other herders live as their forefathers have for generations.

It's a simple life. The herders eat mainly bread and olive oil while drinking thick black coffee boiled on campfires. They sleep under the stars, near the herd, for weeks at a time. There is no cellphone coverage or other modern amenities.

El Guran and the others use the time to bond with their sons who have come with them to the pastures, away from the distractions of the contemporary world. They speak to the camels in a special language, directing them where to graze.

About a day before it's time to give birth, the mother camels separate themselves from the herd, sometimes walking several kilometers (miles) to find a private spot. The herders later find them standing guard over the newborns, protecting them from wolves and jackals, the main predators in the area.

El Guran sells some of the baby camels as well as camel milk to make a living.

As winter comes to an end, the area gets very hot and the camels are taken to a higher elevation, where it's cooler.

Until next winter. Associated Press Photographer Oded Balilty gained rare access to the herders. His photos tell their unique story.

Associated Press ■ In this Feb. 10 photo, Beduin camel herder Ali Zarlul and his son Majed lead their camels at the territory of Israeli Kibbutz Kalya, near the Dead Sea in the West Bank. For three months a year in the winter, Bedouin Arab herders take their 130 camels...

Associated Press ■ In this Feb. 10 photo, Beduin Ali El Guran, left, and his camel herder Ali Zarlul clean a camel respiratory passage at the night camp at the territory of Israeli Kibbutz Kalya, near the Dead Sea in the West Bank.

Associated Press ■ In this Feb. 10 photo, Beduin Ali El Guran, left, and his camel herder Salem Rashaideh have their breakfast at the night camp at the territory of Israeli Kibbutz Kalya, near the Dead Sea in the West Bank.