Why do camels live in Australia?

Answer 1

Camels were introduced to Australia. Although they are not native to he country, they have thrived, and are ow a significant problem.

The first camels came to Australia from the Canary Islands in 1840. Nine camels were brought for the purpose of aiding the exploration of John Horrocks. None of these initial camels survived, although the first one lived for six years - long enough to shoot Horrocks. This occurred when the rather bad-tempered beast named Harry lurched to one side while Horrocks was unloading his gun, causing the gun barrel to discharge, right through Horrock's hand and into his jaw. Horrocks died several weeks later from subsequent infection. Harry the camel was then shot.

The next major group of camels was brought out by George Landells, who was the original leader of what later became the Burke and Wills's expedition in 1860, together with Afghan cameleers. While some of these died in the unbelievably harsh conditions of the expedition, several are known to have escaped, released by the cameleers to fend for themselves.

An estimated 10,000 to 12,000 more were imported into Australia between 1860 and 1907, and a breeding stud was set up in Beltana, in outback South Australia. These camels were used as draft and riding animals, pioneers of the interior region of Australia, once again with the help of Afghan cameleers, as they were best suited for trade between the south and the northern ports. Breeding continued into the 1920s, when the automobile became used more. Herds of camels were released, and many more escaped during these decades, so there is a significant number of feral camels now in Australia.

Whilst actual figures are not known, it is estimated that there are between 500,000 and 1,000,000 feral camels in Australia's outback.