The question of whether camels roam the Australian landscape often evokes surprise, yet the answer is an undeniable yes. Vast populations of these large herbivores thrive across the continent’s arid interior, far from their native ranges in the Middle East and Africa. Their presence is a unique feature of the Australian environment, resulting from a complex history of human intervention and the animals’ remarkable adaptability to the harsh desert conditions. This story involves successful introduction, rapid population growth, and significant ecological consequence.
The Short Answer: Camels in Australia
The camels found across Australia are almost exclusively the Dromedary species, scientifically known as Camelus dromedarius, which is characterized by a single hump. Unlike their domesticated counterparts elsewhere in the world, these animals form the largest feral Dromedary population globally, roaming freely across the country’s central deserts. This distinct population is descended from animals originally imported from regions like British India and Afghanistan.
Australia’s immense arid zone has allowed the camels to flourish without natural predators. Population estimates have varied significantly, with some projections reaching as high as one million animals. Following control efforts, the estimated population is around 300,000, though they possess an annual growth rate of approximately 10%. This rapid rate means the population is capable of doubling in size within an eight to ten-year period.
A History of Importation and Release
The initial arrival of camels in Australia occurred in 1840, though large-scale importation began in the 19th century. Between 1840 and 1907, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 camels were brought into the country, primarily from British India and Afghanistan. They were introduced specifically to serve as robust beasts of burden capable of navigating the immense, water-scarce interior that was inaccessible to horses.
These camels were instrumental in the exploration and development of the continent, providing the backbone for transportation and supply chains. They were used extensively to carry materials for major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line and the Great Northern Railway. The management of these transport operations was overseen by experienced handlers known as “cameleers,” many of whom were Muslim men recruited from South Asia.
The camel transport industry began to decline in the early 20th century with the widespread adoption of motorized vehicles. As cars and trucks became more efficient, the need for camel teams vanished. Consequently, thousands of camels were released into the wild by their owners. These released animals, perfectly suited to the arid conditions, became the foundation of the massive feral population that exists today.
The Ecological Impact of Feral Camel Populations
The vast feral camel population has resulted in measurable environmental and infrastructural damage across the Australian rangelands. As wide-ranging herbivores, their foraging habits put significant pressure on native vegetation. Camels feed on over 80% of available plant species, which often leads to over-browsing in localized areas.
This intense browsing can severely defoliate and suppress the recruitment of specific plant species, including wattles and native food plants traditionally harvested by Aboriginal communities. Camel browsing can significantly stunt the growth of woody species, like Acacia aneura, threatening the ecosystem by preventing saplings from reaching maturity. The severity of this impact increases when camel densities exceed two animals per square kilometer, a threshold surpassed in many parts of the Northern Territory and Central Ranges.
Water sources face particular damage from large mobs of camels, especially during drought conditions when they congregate. A single camel can consume up to 200 liters of water at a time, rapidly depleting limited supplies in rock holes and small waterholes. Their presence often fouls the remaining water through trampling, stirring up sediment, and defecation, rendering it unusable for native fauna and other livestock.
Beyond environmental degradation, feral camels frequently come into conflict with human infrastructure in remote settlements. They cause damage to fences and disrupt water installations, such as pipes and bores, in their persistent search for water. These conflicts, which also include damage to cultural sites and remote community buildings, have necessitated control efforts like aerial culling and mustering.