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 $19m for camel cull 

$19m for camel cull

04 Jul, 2009 05:00 AM
THE Federal Government will spend $19 million to cull camels in northern and western Australia as part of a $400 million package of environmental grants.

The culling program will be undertaken by the Desert Knowledge Co-operative Research Centre.

It will require helicopters to shoot the animals in more remote parts of Central Australia.

Camels are regarded as one of Australia's worst feral pests.

They cause $14 million damage to infrastructure and a number of road deaths, through collisions, each year.

Camels also adversely affect native species by trampling habitats and blocking sparse watering holes in the desert.

This proposal brings together for the first time all the state and territory governments in SA, WA, QLD and NT, Aboriginal organisations, NRM Boards, conservation groups, the pastoral industry, commercial interests and research organisations.

The Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre (DKCRC) and its partners say the news that the Government had chosen to support its application to the Caring for our Country program for the management of feral camels will have a major impact.

The proposal outlines how camel numbers can be reduced to preserve biodiversity and cultural values in remote Australia, and reduce damage to pastoral and settlement infrastructure.

“Our application for a ‘large’ grant in this round is the only one to have been selected to proceed” says the DKCRC managing director, Jan Ferguson.

"We will now work the Federal, State and Territory Governments, and all of our industry and other partners to develop and implement the 4-year, $19 million dollar project."

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comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Interesting story, but what caught my attention was the gulf in the southeastern corner of WA. Can anyone identify that for me as it doesn't seem to appear on any other maps I can find?
Posted by Bill, 6/07/2009 10:35:55 AM
Hi, I would like to find out who I can contact to cull these camels and turn them in to pet food, and export them can you please help me. Peter 0404 555569
Posted by Peter, 6/07/2009 1:45:00 PM
What a waste this will be if the government goes down the track of drop and rot for this very valuable resource. Why can't they get their act together just once on a massive issue like this?

Let's cull them and send them to some hungry people in places like Africa instead of throwing taxpayers money at them for so called aid.

Posted by Wano, 6/07/2009 11:17:11 PM
Fantastic news on the camel cull and money available for this...save our arid regions from this devastating pest. News that has made my day.
Posted by VMX247, 7/07/2009 10:01:05 AM
Culling should be tied to value adding. If even a small portion of the costs were met by a matching pet food, fertiliser and leather industry, with indigenous labour if possible, then it should be considered.

Such an industry would have to be supplied with freezer vans and processing centres and even if it did not meet all costs the other flow on effects of employment and training should not be overlooked.

Posted by Jaycie, 7/07/2009 1:18:05 PM
Jaycie I understand your "save this resource" argument but didn't you read the brief. These animals will not be mustered and driven as a herd. Helicopters will be used in remote areas where vehicles can't get access and where vast areas of terrain need to be covered. The majority of the (humanely) shot animals will re-enter the food chain. And for WANO, it would be cheaper to set up a brand new McDonald's store in AFRICA and give away free meals 2 days a week than to cull, dress, package, freeze, transport, ship, unpack, transport, house, divide and distribute all the camel meat for a once off large supply. It would simply be economically unviable. The same thing happens each year as farmers bury or burn 1000s of tons of fruit and vegetables because their price falls out of the bottom of the market . Next we need to rid our state of the rabbits, foxes, pigs, goats and brumbies! If anyone objects to the proposed total eradication of these species I have just listed then go out and spend your life savings buying a rural land holding and try to and make a comfortable living, whilst at the same time, allowing these feral pests to thrive. Professional shooters are now in demand.
Posted by .308, 6/08/2009 4:19:08 AM
.308, I am a professional shooter based in Adelaide looking for somewhere to shoot camels, brumbies, donkeys and all other feral pests at no cost to property owners, can you please contact me at peterwilliams82@bigpond.com
Posted by hunter, 7/08/2009 12:23:57 AM
Hi, I'm at a loss after been made redundant and would like to learn more about being part of the feral camel program. I'm a licenced firearms owner and reload. Also a gun club member and S.S.A.A member. Please someone help me make this dream come true. Thank you.
Posted by aussie baker, 27/08/2009 9:54:08 PM
Why don't we just let those who wish to help the traditional people help themselves and let those who wish to do the correct thing by the Australian people create jobs do this? Government people and Peter Garrett get real with helping those that really want to help those that want to help the little man.
Posted by dianne, 3/09/2009 11:07:38 PM
Hi, I'm at a loss after being made redundant and would like to learn more about being part of the feral camel program. I'm a licenced firearms owner and reload. Also a gun club member and S.S.A.A. member. Please someone help me make this dream come true. Thank you. Contact me on 0435 110720 or e-mail me, aussiebaker@live.com.au
Posted by aussiebaker, 6/09/2009 3:07:28 PM
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This map shows the main breeding grounds for Australia's feral camels - with WA the key state.
This map shows the main breeding grounds for Australia's feral camels - with WA the key state.

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