Eat A Camel

Eat A Camel, Save Australia’ s Environment by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 12. 9.08 FOOD & HEALTH It may be at the Sydney Zoo at not the Outback where feral camel populations are a problem, but it’s a great camel photo nonetheless. Photo: Michelle First Australians were urged to start eating one of the country’s iconic animals, the kangaroo . Now Australian research institution Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre is telling people that they should also start eating camels to preserve the nation’s environment. The rationale is different than with kangaroos, however: Camel Populations Damaging Australian Deserts The argument in favor of tucking into a roo was that the methane emissions from kangaroos’ digestion are negligible compared to those of cows and sheep. With the camel–which with the largest wild herd of camels on the planet, more than 1 ,000 ,000 , Australia has in spades– the issue is that the population has gotten out of control and they are damaging desert ecosystems. This recommendation comes after a three year study by Desert Knowledge. “It’s a Bit Like Beef” One of the report’s authors, Prof. Murray McGregor told reporters that camel is a “ beautiful meat. It’s a bit like beef. It’s as lean as lean; it’s an excellent health food”. So, how did all those camels make it to Australia? After serving their duty as pack animals in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries, when rail and road travel became more widespread, they were released into the wild. via: AFP/Yahoo News

JuliaMadison’sBlog-Pesky Camels Will Be Shot From Helicopters

Pesky Camels Will Be Shot From Helicopters August 16 , 2009 3 :48 pm Thousands of camels will be shot from helicopters and turned into burgers in a bid to halt their trail of havoc across Australia. Marksmen plan to gun the animals down amid concern the thirsty dromedaries are barging into people’s homes and ripping up their bathrooms looking for water. Government officials plan to wipe out 650 ,000 of the feral population in the remote Outback area of the country. The creatures were first introduced to Australia in the 1840 s to help explorers travel through the Australian desert. There are now about one million camels roaming the country. They compete with sheep and cattle for food, trample vegetation and invade remote settlements in search of water. On a number of occasions they have scared residents – tearing apart bathrooms and ripping up water pipes. Last month, the federal government set aside £9.5 m for the cull. Besides sending in sharpshooters in helicopters and on foot, officials are planning to turn many of the creatures into camel burgers and other treats. Glenn Edwards, who is working on drafting the government’s camel reduction program, said the camel population needs to be slashed by two-thirds to reduce catastrophic damage. But some remain opposed to a mass slaughter. Camel exporter Paddy McHugh, who runs camel catching operations throughout Australia, said a cull would be ineffective. “What happens in 15 years when the numbers come back again? Do we waste another £9.5 m,” McHugh said. But Tony Peacock, CEO of the University of Canberra’s Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Center, said: “To be shot from a helicopter is actually quite humane, even though that sounds brutal.” “If I was a camel, I’d prefer to just get it in the head.”

Pemulangan Haji Mulai Khomis – InformasiHaji.com

  Pemulangan Haji Mulai Kamis SENIN, 30 NOVEMBER 2009 09 :16 Jakarta (MCH). Jemaah haji Indonesia, khususnya gelombang pertama akan tiba di Jakarta untuk embarkasi DKI Jakarta, Kamis (3 /12) , termasuk embarkasi lainnya. Seluruh kloter (kelompok terbang) pertama seluruh akan meninggalkan kota Mekah pada 2 Desember menuju Jeddah dan menginap 24 di sana untuk persiapan penerbangan. “Sekarang ini Panitia Penyelenggara Ibadah Haji (PPIH) menerima lebih 200 orang yang mengajukan lebih awal ke Tanah Air dengan berbagai alasan,” ujar Kepala Daerah Mekkah Subakin AM. Namun, tutur Subakin, pihaknya akan mempertimbangkan untuk mengizinkan mereka yang minta pulang lebih awal, khususnya jamaah yang sakit atau berusia lanjut. Ia mengatakan jemaah haji yang mengambil nafar awal sudah menyelesaikan pelontaran jumrah pada hari Minggu. Sedangkan mereka yang mengambil nafar sani baru selesai melontar jumrah pada hari Senin. Sementara itu, jemaah yang tergabung dalam gelombang kedua, usai menunaikan rangkaian ibadah haji di Masjidil Haram, Arafah, Mina dan Muzdalifah, akan bergerak ke Madinah. Setelah itu, baru ke tanah air secara bertahap sesuai dengan kelompok terbangnya. (*)

Jalan Kaki Lebih Sehat – InformasiHaji.com

Jalan Kaki Lebih Sehat SENIN, 30 NOVEMBER 2009 11 :55 Jakarta (MCH). Selama melaksanakan ibadah haji, jemaah dipaksa banyak gerak. Apalagi ketika di Mina yang jarak antara kemah dan tenda jjmaah haji ke jamarat bisa mencapai minimal 3 kilometer. Bahkan, menurut harian Arab News edisi Senin, 30 November hari ini, jemaah haji jika dihitung selama lima hari ini berjalan kaki sekitar 45 kilometer. Sejak dari Mekah kemudian bergerak ke Mina untuk semalam sebelum berjalan menuju Arafah. Mereka kemudian menuju Muzdalifah di mana mereka menginap malam berikutnya. Pagi- pagi mereka kembali ke Mina+ untuk mabit dan melempar batu di Jamarat, menyembelioh dam dan kurban serta mencukur habis atau memotong sebagian rambut mereka. Dari Mina, mereka pergi ke Mekah untuk melakukan Tawaf Al- Ifada dan Sai antara Safa dan Marwa, dan kemudian berjalan kembali ke Mina untuk bermalam di sana. Selama tiga hari tinggal di Mina, mereka berjalan ke Jamarat setiap hari untuk untuk ritual rajam. Melelalahkan, tapi, juga membawa sehat badan. “Saya kehilangan lima kilo dalam empat hari berjalan di antara tempat-tempat suci,” kata Nabeel Abdul Maksoud, jemaah haji asal Mesir. Ia mengaku menderita kelelahan pada awalnya, tetapi setelah tiga hari dia kembali bugar dan siap berjalan berkilo-kilo lagi. Menurut dokter, sebagian besar kasus mereka yang jalan kaki mengalami sakit dan ketegangan otot. “Pasien tersebut mewakili sekitar 55 persen dari semua kasus yang kita amati,” kata para dokter. Para dokter biasanya menyarankan agar pasien ini mengurangi jalan setiap hari agar otot bisa istirahat. ( MH)

Survivor: Australian Outback Discussions

Survivor: Australian Outback Discussions
Discussion board
Start New Topic
Topic: Feral Camels News Collection
Post:
I collected some feral camels news and put them in my blog:

http://tlts.wordpress.com

Name: Survivor: Australian Outback
Category: Internet & Technology – Gaming
Description: The outback is home to the Australian feral camel, donkey and dingo.
The Dingo fence was built to restrict dingo movements into agricultural areas towards the south east of the continent.

Arabian camel – BBC – Wildfacts

You are here: BBC > Science & Nature > Animals > Wildfacts Dromedary camel, Arabian camel, one-humped camel Camelus dromedarius About 90 per cent of the world’s 14 million camels are dromedaries. Life span They live for 40-50 years. Statistics Length: 2.2-3.4 m, Tail length: 50 cm, Height at hump: 1.9-2.3 m, Weight: 450- 550 kg Physical description Dromedaries have a cream to brown or black short-haired coat, which is longer on the head, neck, throat, rump and tail. They have a single hump, long legs and a long, curved neck. The hump stores fat, which they are able to draw upon for sustenance; and oxidation of the fat manufactures water. Distribution They inhabit South West Asia and North Africa. They are also feral in Australia after being introduced in the mid-19 th century, principally as draft animals – about 500 ,000 survive wild in the outback. Habitat They are desert animals and have have numerous adaptations for life in an arid habitat. They have webbed feet (to prevent sinking in the sand); they can close their nostrils and they have a double row of eyelashes to keep out the sand. They can endure long periods without drinking – up to 17 days. When they do drink, they can take up to 136 litres (30 gallons) at a time. By producing dry faeces and little urine, they can conserve water. Their body temperature can rise 6-8 degree Celsius before sweating. Diet Dromedaries feed on a variety of wild plants that many other animals avoid, such as dry vegetation, thorns and salty plants. They also sometimes scavenge on bones and dried-out carcasses. Behaviour Dromedaries live in small herds of females and young, and a dominant male. Males defend their harem by spitting, biting and butting opponents. Reproduction Camels have a gestation period of 390- 410 days and they give birth to one calf. Conservation status Dromedaries are extinct in the wild, and exist as domestic animals, although some have turned feral. They are not listed by the IUCN. Notes Dromedaries have been important beasts of burden in the Sahara for thousands of years. They are robust pack animals, can walk for miles a day and provide meat, wool, milk and fuel (their dung can be burnt on a fire). The camel family ( including llamas and alpacas) are unique among mammals in that they have elliptical (oval) blood cells. History Dromedaries are thought to have been domesticated in Arabia about 4000-2000 BC. They then spread to North Africa, East Africa and India.

One-minute world news – BBC News

Last Updated: Thursday, 15 March 2007 , 06 :58 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Papers focus on Trident rebellion The backbench revolt against the government’s plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system is scattered across the front and inside pages. The Guardian says the vote reflects low morale within the Labour party. The Times declares that the scale of the revolt confirms that Mr Blair’s authority has all but disappeared. However, the Financial Times suggests that sober analysts regard the vote as a very particular rebellion on a very particular issue. The Mail reports claims that Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich agreed to divorce his wife after Russia’s President Putin told him to “clean up his act”. The paper says Mr Abramovich had been linked to former model Daria Zhukova. The Independent says that Mr Abramovich avoided potentially the most expensive divorce battle ever. The Times concurs, saying his wife, Irina, lost out on a potential £5 bn fortune by getting divorced in Russia rather than the English family courts. Blue Peter bosses wake up to some harsh headlines this morning following the revelation that a charity phone competition was faked. “Blue Cheater” is the Star’s blunt appraisal, while the Mirror and Sun prefer variations on ”Here’s One We Made Up Earlier.” The Star lists past problems which have afflicted the show. These include one presenter taking cocaine, another with pornographic links, and an incontinent elephant. Finally, the denizens of central Australia are cursed by a different creature altogether – feral camels. A severe drought has left descendants of the beasts which helped early explorers open up the vast interior “mad with thirst”. According to the Independent, the camels are wreaking havoc, trampling toilets, taps and air conditioners in their frenzied efforts to find water. It is now being proposed that they are culled and their meat sold as pet food.

Australia supplies Saudis with camels – BBC News

What we’re looking at is catering to Muslim countries worldwide Peter Seidel Central Australian Camel Industry Association Camels are already exported to Jordan and other Arab states Australian motorists beware Tuesday, 11 June, 2002 , 16 :53 GMT 17 :53 UK Australia supplies Saudis with camels Half-a-million feral camels roam Australia Australia has begun exporting camels to Saudi Arabia. More than 100 animals are being shipped from the Australian port city of Darwin and are due to arrive in Saudi Arabia in early July. The vast majority are destined for restaurant tables in a major camel- consuming nation. Camels were first brought into Australia in the 19 th century, and their population has multiplied since then. Peter Seidel, who heads the Central Australian Camel Industry Association, told BBC Online that the Saudis need to import Australian camels for meat production, because they focus on breeding animals for domestic and racing purposes. “The Saudis do not have enough [camels] for their own consumption of meat,” he says. Hundreds of thousands of camels are slaughtered every year during the Muslim pilgrimage, or Hajj, in Mecca. The Saudis have traditionally imported camels from North Africa, but Mr Seidel says a combination of disease, drought and political instability has led them to look elsewhere. Camel meat is also consumed elsewhere in the Muslim world – a fact not lost on Australian camel-exporters. “What we’re looking at is catering to Muslim countries worldwide,” says Peter Seidel. Mr Seidel says his main target is neighbouring Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country. Population explosion Between 1860 and 1907 , about 10 ,000 camels were imported into Australia – mostly from Palestine and India. They were used as draft and riding animals by people pioneering the dry interior. When their work was done, the animals were just turned loose. Now there are more than 500 ,000 feral camels in Australia, and in some places they are becoming a nuisance. “In the past they stayed in desert areas,” says Peter Seidel. “Now they are becoming more visible, and can be a threat to wildlife.” Typically, camels caught in the wild are domesticated before they are exported. “They have to be used to being penned and transported, so they can be shipped,” Mr Seidel says. He insists members of his association ” abide by the strictest animal welfare regulations”.

Search Results: Feral Camel – BBC News

News – Middle East – Australia supplies Saudis with camels 11 Jun 2002 Now there are more than 500 , 000 feral camels in Australia, and in some places they are becoming a nuisance. Typically, camels caught in the wild are domesticated before they are exported. news.bbc.co.uk/1 /hi/world/middle_east/ 2038834. stm News – UK – Papers focus on Trident rebellion 15 Mar 2007 Finally, the denizens of central Australia are cursed by a different creature altogether – feral camels . news.bbc.co.uk/1 /hi/uk/ 6452813. stm Science & Nature – Wildfacts – Dromedary camel , Arabian camel , one-humped camel Conservation status Dromedaries are extinct in the wild, and exist as domestic animals, although some have turned feral . www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/ 3036. shtml Animal Tragic It involved that poor 60- year-old woman in outback Queensland who was killed by her amorous pet camel , which apparently made her the object of his sexual desire. www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ nickbrya…/animal_tragic.html News – Science/Nature – Big game ‘could roam US plains’ 18 Aug 2005 If a group of US researchers have their way, lions, cheetahs, elephants and camels could soon roam parts of North America.. news.bbc.co.uk/1 /hi/sci/tech/ 4160560. stm Programmes – From Our Own Correspondent – Home guard in Australia’ s outback Nick Squires ventures to the Northern Territory, where a largely Aboriginal army patrols this vast wilderness.. Last Updated: Saturday, 11 June 2005 , 11 :02 GMT 12 :02 UK Home guard in Australia’s news.bbc.co.uk/1 /hi/programmes/ from_our_own_corr…/ 4080666. stm

Eat More Camel

Town lives in fear of marauding camels Adelaide Now , 4 days ago Livestock of the future has hump The Australian , 13 Sep 2009 Feuding camel-ride groups in court The Australian , 8 Sep 2009 Reader’s Comments: Rudd called a ’serial killer’ on US TV NEWS.com.au , Kevin Rudd’s a camel killer Daily Telegraph , 5 Aug 2009 AUSTRALIANS have been urged to eat more camel to stop the feral animals wreak environmental havoc across the country’s centre. A three-year study released today has found Australia’s one million- plus camel population is out of control. Report co-author Murray McGregor, an agribusiness lecturer, said a good way to bring down the number of camels was to eat them. “Eat a camel today, I’ve done it,” Professor McGregor told AAP. “It’s beautiful meat. “It’s a bit like beef. It’s as lean as lean, it’s an excellent health food.” Professor McGregor said camels might look “ugly” to some and were known for spitting, but that should not deter diners. The Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, which wrote the report, will serve up camel at a barbecue for senior public servants in Canberra tomorrow to try to win them around. Camel is on the menu in Alice Springs, but Professor McGregor said it did not appear to be standard fare in metropolitan areas. The report found Australia had the world’s largest herd of wild camels. They are inflicting major damage on fragile desert ecosystems, water sources, rare plants and animals, and indigenous sites, the report found. Camels also made climate change worse by burping up greenhouse gases and turning various landscapes into deserts. Australians have already been urged to eat more kangaroo for environmental reasons. National climate adviser Ross Garnaut recently said beef and lamb had a high carbon hoof-print, and told people to eat kangaroo instead because it would cut greenhouse gas emissions. He suggested kangaroos be farmed en masse. Kangaroos do not emit methane, a noxious greenhouse gas which is burped up by sheep and cows. AAP RELATED COVERAGE Eat more camel to save the environment, experts urge AAP December 09 , 2008 12 :00 AM