Login | Request Account (DAF staff only)

Modelling management options for management of feral camels in central Australia

McLeod, S.R. and Pople, A. R. (2008) Modelling management options for management of feral camels in central Australia. Technical Report. No 48. Desert Knowledge CRC, Alice Springs, NT.

[img]
Preview
PDF (DKCRC Report 48)
4MB

Article Link: http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/research/fera...

Organisation URL: http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/

Abstract

Camels (Camelus dromedarius) were introduced into Australia from the 1840s to the early 1900s for transport and hauling cargo in arid regions. Feral populations remained small until the 1930s when many were released after they were superseded for transport by trucks and rail. Although camels have a relatively slow population growth (<10% per annum), the population has not reached carrying capacity and therefore, requires control to reduce the increasing impacts on central Australia. The model developed for the Northern Territory suggested that currently there are insufficient numbers being removed. The model also investigated which control options would have greatest impacts and found harvesting to be most important. The extent to which commercial harvesting can feasibly reduce camel populations requires further analysis. Due to the wide dispersal of camels in Australia, fertility control, even if technically feasible, will not target adults, the most important age class of the population. Habitat preferences were also investigated in the model but more validation is required as the population is still under range expansion. Immediate action is suggested to alleviate future costs as camel populations and their impacts rise.

Item Type:Monograph (Technical Report)
Business groups:Biosecurity Queensland
Additional Information:© Desert Knowledge CRC.
Keywords:Feral camel; Camelus dromedarius; modelling; pest animals; control options.
Subjects:Science > Invasive Species > Modelling > Animal
Science > Invasive Species > Animals > Animal control and ecology
Live Archive:29 Sep 2009 02:40
Last Modified:08 Dec 2021 23:29

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics