Other meanings of Camels in Australia
Invasive Species
Camels in Australia are a population of feral dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) introduced to the continent in the 19th century for transport and exploration. Today, Australia hosts the world's largest wild herd of camels, estimated at over one million animals, which have become a significant environmental and economic concern.
Camels were first brought to Australia in 1840 from the Canary Islands, with the initial import of a single dromedary. However, it was the exploration expeditions of the 1860s, notably those led by explorers such as John McDouall Stuart and Peter Warburton, that established camels as essential pack animals for traversing the harsh interior. Between 1870 and 1920, thousands of camels were imported from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, along with their handlers, often referred to as 'Afghan' cameleers. These cameleers played a crucial role in the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line and the development of outback settlements, transporting goods and mail across vast distances where horses and bullocks could not survive.
With the advent of motor vehicles in the early 20th century, the reliance on camels declined sharply, and many were released into the wild. The feral population grew rapidly, adapting well to the arid and semi-arid regions of central and western Australia. By the 2000s, the population was estimated at over one million, with a distribution covering about 3.3 million square kilometers, including parts of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. The population growth rate is approximately 10% per year, leading to concerns about overpopulation and its impacts on native ecosystems and pastoral lands.1
Feral camels cause significant environmental damage by overgrazing native vegetation, trampling fragile soils, and competing with native herbivores for water and food. They are known to damage infrastructure such as fences, water tanks, and windmills, costing pastoralists millions of dollars annually. In times of drought, camels congregate around water sources, leading to severe degradation of these critical habitats. The Australian government has implemented management strategies, including aerial culling and mustering for export, to control the population. A major culling program in 2009–2013 removed over 160,000 camels, but the population remains high.
Beyond their environmental impact, feral camels have become a niche industry in Australia. The export of live camels to the Middle East for meat and milk has grown, with Australia being one of the few countries with a significant wild camel population. Additionally, camel milk is gaining popularity domestically for its nutritional properties. Historically, the 'Afghan' cameleers left a lasting cultural legacy, including the construction of the first mosques in Australia, such as the Adelaide Mosque built in 1889. Camels also played a role in the construction of the transcontinental railway, and some feral camels are captured and trained for tourism and racing, a practice that has drawn both interest and criticism.2
This article focuses on the feral camel population in Australia, its history, impacts, and management.
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