Australia is home to the world’s largest population of wild camels. These animals are descendants of domestic dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) imported long ago, which have flourished across the vast arid interior. The dromedary, distinct for its single hump, is the only camel species found in Australia’s wild herds. These non-native animals successfully established themselves in an ecosystem that closely mirrors their natural desert habitat.
The Importation and Establishment of Camels
Camels were first brought to Australia in the mid-19th century to solve the problem of transport and exploration in the continent’s arid inland regions. European explorers and settlers realized that traditional draught animals like horses and oxen were ill-suited to the harsh conditions of the Outback, which lacked reliable water sources and forage. Camels, with their superior ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and survive extended periods without water, were adapted to this environment.
Between the 1860s and 1907, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 camels were imported, primarily from British India and Afghanistan, to support major infrastructure projects. These animals became the backbone for constructing the Overland Telegraph Line and the Transcontinental Railway, linking the remote interior with the coastal cities. They were also used extensively for carting supplies to isolated mines and pastoral stations across Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
The camels’ effectiveness relied on the expertise of their handlers, often called “Afghan” cameleers, who hailed from places including Afghanistan, British India, Egypt, and Turkey. These skilled men were instrumental in training, managing, and navigating the camel teams, establishing vital supply lines across central Australia. Dependence on camels rapidly declined with the advent of mechanized transport, such as motor vehicles and expanded rail networks, in the 1920s and 1930s. As the working animals lost their economic value, many cameleers released their herds into the wild, establishing the massive feral population that thrives today.
Australia’s Wild Camel Population
The population resulting from these abandonments is the largest wild dromedary herd globally, thriving without natural predators in the vast Australian rangelands. These camels have adapted so successfully that they exhibit entirely wild behavior. Current estimates suggest a total population around 1 million animals, though figures have varied following control efforts.
The camels occupy an enormous geographical area, spanning approximately 3.3 million square kilometers, which is roughly half of Australia’s rangelands. Their distribution covers the arid and semi-arid interior, including major portions of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and parts of Queensland. The population has a high potential for increase, with estimates suggesting the herd can double in size every eight to nine years if left unchecked. This exponential growth is why the population status is a constant focus for environmental management agencies.
Environmental Impact and Control Measures
The size and rapid growth of the feral camel population present environmental and economic challenges for Australia’s arid ecosystems. Camels are highly mobile, sometimes foraging up to 70 kilometers per day, and their concentrated feeding habits significantly impact native vegetation. They are known to consume over 80% of available plant species in central Australia, with heavy browsing suppressing the regeneration and growth of woody species.
Their search for water, especially during drought conditions, causes damage to both natural and human-made assets. Camels can foul waterholes vital for native animals and culturally significant sites for Aboriginal people, by trampling the edges and contaminating the water. Their large size and mobility also lead to the destruction of infrastructure, including stock fences and water points like bores and tanks, disrupting cattle grazing operations.
To mitigate these consequences, various control measures have been implemented, primarily population reduction through aerial culling. Aerial shooting from helicopters is considered the most effective method for achieving rapid population knockdown over the vast, remote areas the camels inhabit. Live harvesting is another strategy, involving mustering or trapping camels at water sources for commercial use and export. Exclusion fencing is also used, typically to protect small, high-value areas like culturally sensitive waterholes.
Current Commercial Uses of Australian Camels
Despite their classification as a pest, Australia’s feral camels are viewed as a valuable resource, fueling a commercial industry. The most established economic activity involves harvesting camels for meat, which is processed for domestic consumption and export to markets in the Middle East. These disease-free wild animals are prized in certain international markets.
A newer sector is the camel dairy industry, which utilizes the wild herds for breeding and milking stock. Camel milk is marketed as a niche product with specific health properties, including high Vitamin C content. These dairies produce a range of products, including fresh milk, cheese, and cosmetic items, often operating in conjunction with tourism. Camel tourism is another way the animals are utilized, with operations offering camel rides and treks in scenic outback locations.