At this meeting, camel experts will also work on a
national management plan for the animal.
Managing camels
The project's leader, Glen Edwards, says it is estimated one million camels are competing with native wildlife for food and water.
"Consumptive use of camels, whether it be for human consumption through live export or even use of camels for pet food, could potentially play a role in managing camels into the future, but it's yet to be realised how large a role that will be," he said.
"I fully expect that there are parts of Australia where camels are where there will be no option but to shoot the camels to waste."
Managing camels
The project's leader, Glen Edwards, says it is estimated one million camels are competing with native wildlife for food and water.
"Consumptive use of camels, whether it be for human consumption through live export or even use of camels for pet food, could potentially play a role in managing camels into the future, but it's yet to be realised how large a role that will be," he said.
"I fully expect that there are parts of Australia where camels are where there will be no option but to shoot the camels to waste."
Threat to wildlife
Researchers will discuss options for
managing feral camels and how to engage with groups such as pastoralists and
Indigenous people on the issue. Mr Edwards says the drought has made camels an
even bigger threat to wildlife and remote livelihoods.
"There are a lot of
camels out there, probably around about one million I estimate nationwide and
the population is doubling every eight years on average," he said.
"So
what we're seeing currently, and if we don't start to turn it around and address
the camel management issue, we're going to be facing this situation more and
more in the future."
Related link:
Eating camels
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