Australian Feral Camel

Australian camels, also referred to as feral camels, are the descendants of a domesticated camels that were released into the wild by early European settlers. There are approximately 1.2 million feral camels living in the deserts of central Australia today. That's more than in Arabia and India, the traditional homelands of these animals.

There were no camels in Australia prior to their importation into the country European settlers starting in 1840.  Camels brought to Australia in 1840 for use in the exploration of the dry, harsh interior of Australia. However, as modern transport developed, many camels were abandoned, giving rise to today's massive feral camel population. While they are impressive survivors, their numbers have grown so rapidly that they are causing significant ecological damage to the Australian Outback's native wildlife and environment.

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Types of Australian Camels: One Hump or Two?

Camels are instantly recognizable by their large humps, long legs, flat feet, long curved necks, and big-lipped snouts. But did you know that there are two types?

• Dromedary Camels: The most common in Australia, they have a single hump and are built for hot climates.
• Bactrian Camels: These two-humped camels are rarer in Australia and are naturally adapted to colder conditions.

A camel’s hump isn't filled with water—it contains stored fat, which the animal uses when food isn't readily available. These large animals are also built for endurance, capable of running at 40 km/h for long distances and covering up to 160 km per day!

Where Do Camels Live?

Feral camels live in some of the driest, hottest, and most barren parts of the world and can survive in extreme temperatures. In Australia, wild camels live in central Australia they have spread across an estimated 3.3 million square kilometres, including the Great Sandy, Gibson, Great Victoria, and Simpson deserts.

These non-territorial wanderers can travel up to 70 km a day in search of food and water, making them highly adaptable survivors of the Australian Outback.

What Do Camels Eat?

Camels are not picky eaters. They will eat almost any available plant and can feed for 6-8 hours each day. They then spend another 6-8 hours each day ruminating (chewing the cud).

When food and water is scarce, the camel extracts energy and water from fat stored in its hump.

Why Camels Were Introduced to Australia

In the early 19th century, Australia’s rugged and dry terrain posed a serious challenge to explorers and settlers. European horses and oxen struggled in the dry, rough, and often sandy terrain of the Australian Outback.

In 1822 a Danish-French geographer named Malthe Conrad Bruun suggested that the camel may solve this problem. He pointed out that a camel could carry heavy loads and survive long periods without food or water, making them ideally suited for the dessert.

The first camel arrived in Australia in 1840 and was part of an expedition into the interior lead by John Horrocks. Unfortunately, this animal was instrumental in Hancocks's accidental death and was shot.

In 1860, 24 camels and 3 cameleers were brought from India to join the Burke and Wills expedition into Australia's interior. The expedition ended in disaster, with both Burke and Wills losing their lives, but the camels proved invaluable. Some camels in this expiation escaped and may have formed the first contingent of Australia's feral camel population.

Having proven their usefulness, large numbers of camels were imported into Australia. From 1870 to 1900, over 15,000 camels and 3,000 cameleers(mostly from Afghanistan) arrived in Australia, playing a crucial role in building infrastructure, including the Overland Telegraph Line and The Ghan railway (named in honour of the Afghan cameleers).

(Note: "Ghan" is derived from the word Afghan, as most of the cameleers originated from Afghanistan whose people are called Afghans).

Reasons the Camel Became Feral

With the advent of motor vehicles and railroads, camels were no longer needed, and by the 1930s, most were slaughtered or simply released into the wild.

Discarded by their owners, wild camel numbers increased rapidly. In 1966, it was estimated that there were 20,000 Australian feral camels. By 2008, this number was estimated to be 500,000. Their numbers have increased so much that they are now considered a serious threat to native habitat. An extensive culling was undertaken between 2008 and 2013. The present population is currently estimated at 350,000 animals. Today there are more wild camels in Australia than anywhere else in the world.

The Impact of Feral Camels on Australia

While feral camels are classified as pests, their overall impact on the Australian environment is not as severe as that of some other animals introduced into Australia. Significant ecological damage occurs when their population numbers increase to a point where they overstress available resources.

Feral camels impact the Australian environment by:
• Destruction of Native Vegetation: Camels consume and strip plants, depriving native animals of food and shelter.
• Waterhole Depletion: Camels can drink 145 tilers of water in one go, often exhausting and contaminating precious water sources.
• Damage to Infrastructure: Camels break fences, damage water pipes, and even destroy windmills in search of water.
• Traffic Hazards: Large camel herds pose serious risks on roads, railways, and even airstrips.

Introduced Animals of Australia

Feral Camel Predators and Threats

The primary threats to Australian Feral Camels include:
• Starvation due to drought.
• Infanticide, where dominant bulls may kill newborn calves.
• Culling programs by local and state governments.
• Hunting for meat, primarily for pet food.