How and Why Camels Came to Australia

 

Although not native to Australia, camels can be found in large numbers in the country. Notably, Australia is home to the world's largest population of wild Arabian camels, also known as Camelus dromedarius. These camels usually live in the vast desert regions of Australia, including the Great Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, Great Victoria Desert, and the Simpson Deserts. Today, the population of wild camels in Australia ranges between 1 and 1.2 million, with the number doubling every eight to nine years.

 

History of Camels in Australia

The journey of camels in Australia can be traced back to the 1840s. Between 1840 and 1907, an estimated 10,000-20,000 camels were brought from India to Australia, with roughly 50% to 65% landing in South Australia. They were usually half-dromedaries or half-ton ungulates with a single hump. These camels were suited to the climate of the Australian interiors since they could go for weeks without water in an arid environment with scorching heat.

 

Moreover, camels were perceived as an asset since they could walk up to 70 kilometers every day, had low birth rates, and had a life expectancy of up to 50 years. The impact made by them was also significant. Although not acknowledged much by historians, Australian anthropologist and author Anna Kenny, in her book 'Australia's Muslim Cameleers: Pioneers of the Inland, 1860s-1930s', stated that camels made significant cultural and economic contributions to the Australian society.

 

Camels' Contribution To Australian Society

Camels in Australia helped open lines of supply, transportation, and communication between isolated and indigenous settlements and major towns. This aided in the economic growth and development of the arid regions of Australia, along with enriching the social and cultural landscape of the country.

 

Camels loaded with supplies became a regular staple of outback life in Australia. They carried things such as wool, water, telegraph poles, railway sleepers, tea, and tobacco. The indigenous population, or the Aborigines, slowly began to integrate camels into their everyday lives by using their hair to create artifacts. Till today, the luxury train that operates between Adelaide and Darwin is called The Ghan, referring to the cameleers, who were generically known as 'Afghans'. 

 

However, after the 1930s, the camel industry in Australia began to suffer. With the introduction of the internal combustion engine and motorized modes of transportation, camels became redundant. They were no longer helpful as a means of transportation, irrespective of their capacity to withstand Australia's arid climate. 

 

Do Camels Still Exist in Australia?

Post the 1930s, when motorized transport became the norm and camels began to be used less often to transport supplies, the animals were released into the wild in large numbers. Over a period of nine decades, the number of camels multiplied rapidly in Australia. Today, their population stands above one million.

 

Camel-caused Problems in Australia

However, the picture is far from rosy. While camels may come across as harmless and gentle beasts, they have been a nuisance to many people, particularly Australia's indigenous population.

 

Camels in Australia have been known to routinely destroy fences, break pipes, and drink away all the water. In addition, since camels are largely herbivores, they have been known to destroy grazing lands of cattle, with most damage taking place during periods of severe drought.

 

Further, camels also pose a threat to the local communities since they can pollute water holes, damage ceremonial art, and destroy cultural sites that are often associated with water holes. Besides, camels emit methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and global warming.

 

Conclusion

Today, the Australian government and concerned authorities are finding ways to cull the population of camels. In late 2013, the government had already culled over 1,60,000 camels, a move that has been deemed controversial. As a result, there have been many attempts to change the influx of the camel population in the country into a positive move. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

1. When did camels first come to Australia?

The camels were first brought from India to Australia in the 1840s.

 

2. What is the current population of camels in Australia?

The present population of camels in Australia is roughly between 1 million and 1.2 million.

 

3. What kind of gas do camels emit?

Camels emit methane, a greenhouse gas.

 

4. Where did the first batch of camels settle in Australia?

The first batch of camels settled in South Australia. Today, one can find them in the desert regions such as the Great Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, Great Victoria Desert, and the Simpson Desert.

 

5. What kind of contributions did camels make to Australian society?

Camels made significant contributions to Australian society. They helped supply essentials such as tea, tobacco, wool, water, telegraph poles, and railway sleepers. Moreover, they also helped open lines of transportation and communication between the isolated areas and major towns, aiding in the economic and cultural growth of the country.