10,000 Australian camels to be culled as they drink too much water

7 January 2020, 14:30

Dry conditions have seen camels dramatically increase in the region in search of water.
Dry conditions have seen camels dramatically increase in the region in search of water. Picture: Getty

Over 10,000 camels will be culled by professional marksmen to prevent them from drinking too much water in drought-afflicted South Australia.

The order to begin the cull comes from the Aboriginal leaders in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands.

South Australia has been afflicted by drought and dry conditions and there are concerns that the camels have been taking water from any available source, including taps and tanks.

Local communities have been complaining of camels causing havoc and invading properties in search of water.

A spokesperson for the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW) said the increased number of camels had caused significant damage to infrastructure, danger to families and communities, along with increased grazing pressure across the APY Lands.

"In some cases, dead camels have contaminated important water sources and cultural sites," the spokesperson said.

South Australia is afflicted by droughts.
South Australia is afflicted by droughts. Picture: Google

Speaking about the cull that begins on Wednesday, APY Lands manager Richard King said, "It gives us an opportunity to get them [the camels] while they're all together, because generally they'll go and move around the desert in smaller herds," he said.

"So while they're all together it's a great time to have a cull and clean out some of the animals that are destroying some of our native vegetation."

The camels are also being culled over concerns about global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, as the animals emit the methane equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide per year.

It is believed that if the culling of camels did not take place, their population would double every eight to 10 years.

Bushfires in Australia on New Years Eve.
Bushfires in Australia on New Years Eve. Picture: PA

The news of the cull comes amid reports that 480 million animals have perished in the Australian bushfires, including mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects .

Heartbreaking footage on Monday showed the burnt out remains of hundreds of dead koalas and kangaroos lining the sides of a road near a town in New South Wales.

The number of people that have died in the Australian bushfires has risen to 24 and over 2,000 homes have been destroyed.

A fundraiser launched by Australian comedian Celeste Barber for fire services in New South Wales raised more than A$20 million (£10.6m; $13m) in just 48 hours after Mr Barber wrote: "Please help any way you can. This is terrifying."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

John Torode was sacked by the BBC after being accused of singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger.

John Torode sacked by BBC after being accused of singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger

Serious water pollution incidents surged in England last year.

Serious water pollution incidents surge 60% in England in a year as firms blasted for 'national disgrace'

x

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner ‘died in mid air’ before crashing into hotel worker in front of horrified witnesses

Katie Amess

Prevent review 'a waste of time' says daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess - after killer labelled ‘great person’

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his alleged mistress were captured desperately trying to hide their faces at a Coldplay concert

Tech firm blasts CEO's 'fake' statement breaking silence after he was caught on kisscam with HR chief at Coldplay gig

Ruth Chepngetich, the women's marathon world record holder, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

Women's marathon world record holder provisionally suspended for doping

Courtney, in her Union flag dress and hat, and her dad Stuart

School at centre of Union flag dress row closes early over 'extremist threats to staff'

An off-duty firefighter was able to free children trapped in an overturned school bus that crashed

Hero off-duty firefighter frees children trapped inside overturned school coach after crash kills one and injures 21

Police will use facial recognition technology at Notting Hill carnival.

Police to use facial recognition at Notting Hill Carnival in knife crime crackdown

Exclusive
x

Cartel 'narco subs' bringing 'unimaginable' amounts of cocaine into UK, says son of drug lord Pablo Escobar

Exclusive
Police face a ‘nuclear arms race’ to stay ahead of artificial intelligence, LBC has heard, with officers uncovering a growing number of deep fake sexual abuse images on seized devices.

‘Nuclear arms race against AI’ as police reveal secret ‘calculator’ apps used by paedos to hide child abuse images

High Road, Wood Green.

Seven arrested as 'shoplifters' attack 11 police officers in north London

Health enthusiast Alex Cannon, from Liverpool, passed away on Sunday, July 6, having adopted the controversial lifestyle three years ago

Carnivore diet influencer dies aged 66 after genetic heart failure, family confirms

LBC understands that the number of police counters across London where people can speak to an officer face-to-face could be reduced from 37 to 19.

13 Met Police front counters set to shut amid budget crisis, leaked plans reveal

England players run to England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton celebrating after winning a penalty shootout at the end of the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals

Lionesses reach Euro 2025 semi-finals after penalty shootout drama against Sweden

Far-right anti-immigration protestors scuffle with a cordon of riot police outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, following an asylum seeker's accusation of sexual assault last week.

Police vans attacked as clashes erupt after anti-immigrant mob descends on Epping asylum hotel