Over 10,000 feral camels will be killed to stop them from drinking water in South Australia’s drought-stricken region. According to Mirror, the plea came from Aboriginal leaders.
Professional shooters will carry out the act from helicopters starting Wednesday (8th January) and will continue for five days.
This comes after complaints that the thirsty camels had been invading properties looking for water in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands (AYP).
Source: The Australian
Furthermore, camels are feared to be contributors to global warming as they emit methane gases, causing about one tonne of carbon dioxide to be released a year.
This amount of CO2 released by feral camels per year equates to an additional 400,000 cars on the road, said Tim Moore, chief executive of carbon farming specialists RegenCo.
APY hopes the culling will lead to carbon credits being awarded.
“We have been stuck in stinking hot and uncomfortable conditions, feeling unwell, because the camels are coming in and knocking down fences, getting in around the houses and trying to get to water through air-conditioners,” Marita Baker, APY executive board member, said.
Source: Pew
If a pest control plan is not introduced, the feral camel population would double every nine years, according to National Feral Camel Management Plan.
However, the Department of Energy and Environment said that emissions from feral animals such as camels should not be included in emissions estimate as they are not under domestic management.
“Australia does not report on emissions from feral animals.”
“Therefore, activities that change the emissions from feral animals cannot be subject to an Emissions Reduction Fund method, as they are unable to result in eligible carbon abatement and cannot contribute to Australia’s emissions reduction targets.”
Could there be other ways to help these camels find water? Or is killing them the necessary evil?
Also read: Heartbreaking Photos Show Effects of Australia’s Devastating Bushfires on Animals
