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When the telegraph and the railways were build in central Australia it was found that the Camel was a great pack animal for transporting supplies and personnel. However after the job was finished they were simply turned loose. Australia is now the only country where you will find camels living in the wild.

Camels came to Australia long before the telegraph and railways were built.

The first camels were introduced into Australia in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks, who opted to use them in his exploration of the arid interior. Nine camels were imported from the Canary Islands but only one, named Harry, still survived six years later, as little was understood of the camels' needs. After Harry the camel managed to shoot Horrocks while he was trying to remove his gun from its pack, leading to a lingering and agonising death for Horrocks, the animal was itself shot.

The next large group of camels was brought to Australia by George Landells in 1860 for the purpose of what would be later known as the Burke and Wills' expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. These were the predecessors of today's wild camels. Camels continued to be brought over by later explorers. It was not uncommon for the explorers and/or the Afghan cameleers to release their camels, or for the camels to escape.

Following the opening up of the interior by the explorers, the Afghan cameleers established trade routes through central Australia as, until the railways were built late in the 19th century, camels were the only means for getting goods through the inland from south to north.

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Q: Why were camels introduced into Australia?
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Related questions

What one of these animal was introduced to Australia cockatoo goat or bandicoot?

Goats are not native to Australia, neither are camels, rabbits, pigs, sheep etc.


Are there camels in Africa?

Yes. Australia is the only country that has wild camels. The Arab traders brought them over to help transport luggage and goods, and they just started to breed, and now there is a large number of wild camels, mostly in central Australia.


Who introduced camels to Australia?

The first camels were introduced into Australia in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks, who opted to use them in his exploration of the arid interior. Nine camels were imported from the Canary Islands but only one, named Harry, still survived six years later, as little was understood of the camels' needs.After Harry the camel managed to shoot Horrocks while he was trying to remove his gun from its pack, leading to a lingering and agonising death for Horrocks, the animal was itself shot.The next large group of camels was brought to Australia by George Landells in 1860 for the purpose of what would be later known as the Burke and Wills' expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. These were the predecessors of today's wild camels.


When were camels introduced to Africa specifically to the travellers of the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes?

The camels were introduced in 300C.E, and there for desert travel.


Are there camels in Australia?

Yes. However, camels are not native to Australia. Australia's huge feral camel problem is a result of some of the early explorers bringing camels over from Afghanistan and surrounding countries to help them explore the desert interior of the continent. It was not uncommon for the explorers and/or the Afghan cameleers to release their camels, or for the camels to escape.


Why were camels introduced to australia in 1840?

The first camels were introduced into Australia in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks, who opted to use them in his exploration of the arid interior. Nine camels were imported from the Canary Islands but only one, named Harry, still survived six years later, as little was understood of the camels' needs. After Harry the camel managed to shoot Horrocks while he was trying to remove his gun from its pack, leading to a lingering and agonising death for Horrocks, the animal was itself shot. None of these original animals remained. The real introduction of camels came when a large group of camels was brought to Australia by George Landells in 1860 for the purpose of what would be later known as the Burke and Wills' expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. These were the predecessors of today's wild camels. Camels continued to be brought over by later explorers. It was not uncommon for the explorers and/or the Afghan cameleers to release their camels, or for the camels to escape. Following the opening up of the interior by the explorers, the Afghan cameleers established trade routes through central Australia as, until the railways were built late in the 19th century, camels were the only means for getting goods through the inland from south to north.


When were emus introduced into Australia?

Emus are native to Australia, not introduced.


Is kangaroo the largest wild animal in Australia?

There are over 60 species of kangaroo in Australia, and some are very small. The Red Kangaroo is the largest native animal in Australia, but there are larger introduced species. Feral camels, water buffalo and brumbies are larger than Red Kangaroos.


How many camels live in one square km in Western Australia?

Although Australia has a feral camel problem, to the point where there are almost one million camels on the mainland, it does not mean one will automatically come across camels when wandering through the outback. Currently, there are approximately three camels per ten square kilometres in Western Australia.


When camels first arrived in Australia was it by ship?

ye


What did the afghans bring to Australia?

Lots of wild camels


Are donkeys an introduced species of Australia?

Yes. Donkeys are introduced, and not native to Australia.