Camel Journey ~ From its Original Habitat to Modern World

Camel role is incredible in its cradle of domestication and its original habitats. In the 19th Century, some camels were transported to USA, Australia, and some other places for work and armies. After automobile revolution, the role of the camel as a beast of burden was gradually diminished 1,2.

In Australia there are thousands of feral camels, now it’s estimated a million, roaming across Australian deserts but unfortunately considered as a pest. Government launches project to kill camel (considering as a pest) and save the scarce water resources in the region 3. Many friends from Australia and other parts of the world (including the author) raised voice to halt such killing which results in wastage of such a unique resource. The camel activists gave many good arguments/suggestions to save feral camel; a tool to adapt to the climate change and judiciously use of the scattered bushy vegetation of the region 4. Unfortunately, there are still many challenges, the main one is the weak faith and poor understanding of the present Australian government on the onset of climate change 5.

I appreciate the role of the colleagues and friends around the world who raised voice for the conservation of camel in Australia and converting camel from a useless animal to the best tool for adaptation to climate change and ensuring food security. Now my dream about camel ‘Turning from a beast of burden to a modern farm animal’ is turning true 6Camel is Turning from a Beast of Burden to a Modern Farm Animal

In this series of articles, I am starting to share links, photographs, and views of the people around the world, who floated the idea to sustainable use of camel for the well being of humanity. Modern science also proved the role of the camel in all aspects especially, food security, sustainability, resilience and adaptation to climate change and human health. All friends and colleagues are warmly welcome to freely review, comments, share in this series of knowledge sharing.

As a first innovation, I hereby share pictures sent by Hannah Purs from Australia. I hope she will respond to reviewers.

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Hannah Training Camel from Dairy

Camel Feeding on Hay

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Feral camels are gathered by Helicopter

References 

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Camel_Corps
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_feral_camel
  3. http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/06/09/australia-considers-killing-camels-to-tackle-climate-change/
  4. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/news/hannah-purss-embarks-on-2000km-camels-for-drought-relief-trek-along-oodnadatta-track/story-fngr8gwi-1226926025959
  5. http://rt.com/news/256861-climate-change-un-hoax/
  6. https://camel4milk.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/camel-is-turning-from-a-beast-of-burden-to-a-modern-farm-animal/
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Author: Dr Raziq Kakar

I’m Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar, Ph.D. in Animal Agriculture, currently working as a Technical Manager at Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production, Camel Dairying (R&D), Alain, UAE. I have performed as a Professor and Dean, at the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences Pakistan (LUAWMS). My thematic area covers ‘turning camel from a beast of burden to a sustainable farm animal’, agricultural research policies, extensive livestock production systems, desert ecosystems, food security under climate change context, and sustainable use of traditional genetic resources for food and agriculture. I'am advocating camel under the theme of CAMEL4LIFE and believe in camel potential. Camel4life is a camel think tank with a website and WhatsApp group, advocating camel at the policy level. I'm the founder of World Camel Day and the Camel Association of Pakistan. I also work as a freelance scientist covering the above-mentioned thematic areas. I'm also doing camel dairying consultancies. I’m an ethnoecologist, ethnobotanist, Ethnovet, and ethnomedicine researcher and reviewer. I explore deserts and grazing lands for knowledge and understanding.

17 thoughts on “Camel Journey ~ From its Original Habitat to Modern World”

    1. Rashid Faridi,
      Thanks very much for sharing. The spread awareness regarding camel role in sustainable food production is a great help for the well being of us all.

      Like

    1. Thanks Eddie for your support and feedback. Yes you are totally right. The tool of adaptation and nature friendly activities are sustainable and help us in keeping good health for all, i.e. nature, earth, animals and human beings at large. The nature positively response to green and sustainable activities like camel herding etc.

      Liked by 2 people

  1. Thanks for sharing the importance of camels with us all. Your input is very interesting. I hope that Australia will begin to increase its appreciation for camels and that as a global camel community, we’ll be able to move forward and share our very varied knowledge.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Hannah for your feedback. I have raised the issue of camel killing in Australia at different forums and international events. The people started realizing the importance of climate especially in the context of climate change. It is pity that some governments even denying the calamities of climate change. The global warming scenario, scarcity of feed and water resources and shrinking arable lands will further increase the importance of camel because of its unique physiology and level of tolerance.
      I would like you share with me more photographs, some introduction of your work, linkages between the camel interest groups in Australia and future prospects/role of camel in Australia. It will help me to to explain my camel dream with the world.

      Liked by 1 person

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