birding-aus

Fwd: Re: Slaughter of Australian Camels (Off Topic)

To: Peter Shute <>
Subject: Fwd: Re: Slaughter of Australian Camels (Off Topic)
From: Laurie Knight <>
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:38:12 +1000
Camels produce methane in same way that sheep and cattle do. One camel obviously produces a fair bit more methane than one sheep. Kangaroos have a different digestive system, so don't belch methane. Reducing camel numbers and increasing kangaroo numbers would certainly improve the emission equation.

Regards, Laurie.


On 21/06/2011, at 2:49 PM, Peter Shute wrote:

I just found what looks to be an online version of this petition at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/999/725/689/

It reads:
"Australia has the largest population of undiseased dromedary camels anywhere in the world. Now, the Australian government is proposing to slaughter the majority of them in the name of carbon control.

The camels produce an estimated one metric ton a year of greenhouse gasses, which is nothing compared to the emissions from Australia's largely coal-powered industries. Just last year, Australia was responsible for 564 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Eradicating all the camels in the Outback wouldn't even tip the scale.

The mass funding allocated towards camel extermination would be better spent sustainably reforming Australia's carbon-emitting industries.

Ultimately, the mass camel cull would be nothing more than an expensive distraction from real change. Tell the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Mark Dreyfus, that killing camels is no way to take true action."

Is this just nonsense, or has some politician mentioned greenhouse gases in relation to this?

Peter Shute

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of
Peter Shute
Sent: Tuesday, 21 June 2011 12:43 PM
To: 'brian fleming'; 
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Fwd: Re: Slaughter of Australian
Camels (Off Topic)

Could somebody please explain the reference to greenhouse
gases? Is somebody suggesting this is why culling is required?

Peter Shute

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of
brian fleming
Sent: Monday, 20 June 2011 4:58 PM
To: 
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Fwd: Re: Slaughter of Australian
Camels (Off Topic)

  We have received an internet petition calling for the
cessation of
camel culling in inland Autralia. Our response is below.

  The culling of camels has NOTHING to do with greenhouse
gases; it is
all about removing a destructive pest species from the environment.
   Camels are not the only pests - wild deer in East Gippsland are
leading to the loss of plant species by their selective
browsing, and
wild pigs take lambs and calves as well as damaging wetlands by
wallowing. As for rabbits...
  Camel proliferation is a major threat to inland native flora and
fauna, and their removal is as essential as the removal of water
buffaloes in the Top End. Small outback settlements were
terrorized by
large mobs of thirsty camels during the recent drought.
  Australia can use only comparatively few domestic
camels, which can
be bred in controlled conditions. At one time there was
Middle Eastern
interest in importing our healthy animals for breeding, but
as our camel
population is derived from pack camels, not racers, that
fell through.
  Live export of camels to Middle Eastern meat markets would be as
deplorable as the live export of sheep and cattle.


Brian and Anthea Fleming

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