Why Does Australia Shoot Camels? Are They Protected Animals?

Due to the ravages of drought and bushfires, a large portion of Australia's forests have been burned, and a large number of animals have died. Recently, the shooting of camels in Australia has drawn attention.So what is the reason for Australia shooting camels? Are they protected animals?

1. What is the reason for Australia shooting camels?

1. Reason

(1) Recently, northwestern Australia still plans to shoot nearly 10,000 camels, simply because they drank too much water. Moreover, the camels knocked down residents' fences and drank water from air conditioners

(2) In addition, greenhouse gas emissions have also become a reason for the “slaughter” of camels. As of 2010, nearly 1 million camels lived in several Australian states and the Northern Territory, and these camels emit 1 ton of carbon dioxide each year. If left unchecked, the camel population would grow at a rate of doubling every 9 years.

2. Situation

The 5-day shooting operation will begin on the 8th local time, and the local environmental department will send multiple helicopters to shoot dead about 10,000 camels. According to reports, if the helicopters can carry out the slaughter at close range, the carcasses of these camels will be burned or buried, and the remaining carcasses will be left behind.

In addition, the Australian government's approach has met strong opposition from animal protection advocates, and some netizens also accused the practice of being immoral. Some netizens said, “Spending time killing camels will only make the situation worse”; others directly angrily denounced it as “disgusting”; and many people also spoke up for the camels, saying, “They only look for water so they can survive.”

2. Are camels protected animals?

Wild camels are protected animals, and they are Class I nationally protected animals. Moreover, the wild one-humped camel has already become extinct, and only domesticated ones remain. It is estimated that about 1,000 Bactrian camels live in the wild in the Gobi Desert, with a small number living in Iran, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan.

3. Can camels be raised?

Wild camels are protected animals, but they can be artificially bred. However, not all places are suitable for raising them. For example, it is not possible in the south, because the southern weather is relatively humid and rainy, and camels are more likely to get sick. Raising camels in the north is possible.