Now Reading: Gulf breeders eye Australia’s MERS-free feral camels
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Gulf breeders eye Australia’s MERS-free feral camels
Australia's feral camel population, estimated between 300,000 and one million, has caught the attention of Gulf breeders. The animals, descendants of working camels released in the 20th century, have remained largely isolated…
The Story in Brief
Australia's feral camel population, estimated between 300,000 and one million, has caught the attention of Gulf breeders. The animals, descendants of working camels released in the 20th century, have remained largely isolated from Middle Eastern herds and have no serological evidence of MERS infection, according to a 2015 University of Western Australia study.
The Indian Opinion
The story of Australian camels being sought by Gulf breeders is rich with ironic twists. The same animals that Australia culls as pests costing millions in management are suddenly being reframed as a genetic treasure. The lazy narrative here is that this is a simple commercial opportunity for Australia. In reality, the export market is tiny and prohibitively expensive, with air freight and mustering costs likely outweighing any profits. Watch for trade data from the Department of Agriculture in the next year: if export numbers don't cross a few hundred head, the hype will have been just that, hype.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
