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Feral camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Australia has the world's largest wild population of dromedary camels. They damage desert waterholes, vegetation and infrastructure across the arid interior.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, mammal.

Native to: Introduced as transport animals from India and the Middle East.

Established in: QLD, SA, WA, NT.

Identification

  • One-humped camel, usually sandy brown, often in groups.

Where it lives

Arid interior deserts and rangelands.

Why it matters

  • Damage to waterholes, fences, tanks and pipes.
  • Overgrazing of desert plants.
  • Damage to culturally significant sites.

How it spreads

  • Large-scale movement in search of water during dry periods.

Control methods

  • Aerial and ground shooting by approved operators.
  • Mustering for commercial use.
  • Exclusion of key water infrastructure.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Protect water infrastructure with fencing.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Prohibited dealing (wild animals). Wild or feral animals must not be kept, moved or released, other than for lawful pest control. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Declared animal. Declared animals have legal restrictions, which can cover keeping, moving, selling and releasing them, and landowners may be required to control them.
  • Western Australia: Declared pest (C3). C3 Management: landholders must manage it to reduce its impact and stop it spreading.
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources