Several towns in Australia have Camel Racing and have done for years. This link is to just one place that has the Racing.
The first camel to arrive in Australia was brought here by a Mr. Horrock in 1840 from the Canary Islands. The next major group of 24 camels came out in 1860 for the ill-fated Bourke and Wills expedition. The first time explorer Giles used camels, he travelled 220 miles in 8 days without giving water to the camels.
However, in 1838 research tells that Joseph Bruce and John Gleeson brought out 18 of the first 'Afghans', who arrived in (the colony) South Australia. More camels arrived from British India as well.
Camels were used to carry all kind of goods and men in the outback of Australia.
Before the building of railways and the widespread adoption of motor vehicles, camels were the primary means of transporting goods in the Outback, where the climate was too harsh for horses and other beasts of burden - so says my research.
There are currently over one million feral camels in the rangeland ecosystem of Australia. Feral camels are causing significant damage to the natural environment as well as to social, cultural and economic values across their extensive range.
The places that I know of that have Camel Racing are marked in blue. We have been to these areas but not to the towns.
Australia sure has had - and continues to have - its problems with ill-conceived introduced species.
ReplyDeleteTrue David, yet back in the day the camels were extremely helpful.
DeleteI never knew that there were camel races. I just visited the website and found it very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat website is informative and a good read, glad you visited it Bill.
DeleteMargaret, I read that Australia is the country with the most camels in the world and that they are wreaking havoc in the nearby neighborhood in which they live. For this reason they are being sacrificed. I didn't imagine this.
ReplyDeleteYes, Norma, they are a pest and have been for a very long time. Excellent though way back in time.
DeleteAs David said, our track record on introduced species is not good.
ReplyDeleteNo it's not but I don't know how people would have managed way back if they hadn't had camels.
DeleteAs a child I didn't know there were camels in Australia for some reason I always associated them with Africa
ReplyDeleteWe do associate them with Africa, and I didn't realize until we started travelling the outback that there were camels galore here in Australia, Jo-Anne.
DeleteI had no idea camel racing is so wide spread. I don't know why we don't have the will to eradicate these environmental damaging hooved animals of various species.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonder many camels haven't been killed as in a cull, would be expensive as many of them would be in places where no man has been, so to say Andrew.
DeleteThey are a pest BUT they did in the early days of the overland telephone system
ReplyDeletebeing put up assist whereas horses needed water!
I believe that they are being slaughtered and then exported to Arab countries for eating.
Norma 2 is correct - we now have more camels than the whole of the Arab states!!!
Camel racing is very popular and bring many tourists to the outback towns and thus MONEY!!!!
So don't go "bush" as we say and complain to the local publicans and shopkeepers
you may end up with a bloody nose and mouth!
Really everything does in big and modest ways serve a purpose.
Cheers
Colin
PS: Real snake weather here so I am on full alert !!!!
You still haven't got that brown snake in the village, surly Colin!
DeleteWatch out then.
I remember being in out back towns around camel racing time and the locals were talking about it with enthusiasm, gives them something to talk about and go and see as they haven't got much else in the outback to do.
Didn't know some camels were being slaughtered and exported - interesting Colin.
No sabía que había carreras de camellos. Son unos animales mu bellos. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely large animals JP, but you have to watch it if they spit on you as it's not nice so I'm told.
DeleteApart from damage to the environment, isn't it a dangerous sport for riders and animals?
ReplyDeleteProbably no more dangerous than horse riding Hels. The Jockeys are used to the camels I suppose.
DeleteThis is totally new to me.
ReplyDeleteI think it's new to many Angie.
DeleteI remember hearing about camel races at Alice Springs and knew about other places too, but have never seen any for myself.
ReplyDeleteSomebody must be killing camels as their meat is available at our Central Market. I've never tried any of it, I'm told it's an acquired taste.
I'm told that camels meat is exported to the Arab lands R.
DeleteGosh, meat available at the Central Market - interesting, don't think I'd care to eat it.
I didn't know there were camel races.
ReplyDeleteThey should actually ban that, just like horse racing, I think it's animal abuse.
I wish you a nice Wednesday.
Greetings Irma
Here in Australia horses are not whipped, it's not permitted ( I expect you are thinking that) - it's all about money Irma.
DeleteHello Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI have little time lately, hence my blog entries are less frequent.
I will honestly say that I had no idea that camels also live in Australia and in such huge numbers. I always thought that camels... only live in Africa.
Such races are a wonderful thing, very spectacular, for me they are absolutely exotic :)) But many thanks Margaret for the beautiful photos, they are nice to look at.
Greetings, my days are getting shorter... unfortunately :)
I did notice you had not be blogging as much but that's ok, other things come into being at times. It was good to see your post today...thank you.
DeleteAustralia has far too many camels.
Hello Margaret,
ReplyDeleteIt's a special kind of sport. But I have see many travelprograms and in that part of the world it is very famous and normal. There is even a lot of gambling on these races with money.
Your picturesI are amazing and it must be special to see in real.
I think these animals will be quite thirsty afterwards.
Many greetings,
Marco
Yes, Marco it certainly is a special kind of sport and normal for the people in the outback of Australia. Yes, the people make bets who will win. Normal too.
DeleteStrangers races .
ReplyDeleteStrange to some, normal for them. 😉
DeleteEs normal en ese país. La carreras de caballos, es lo que puedo ver en mi país.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's normal to have camel racing in the outback of Australia, we also have horse racing but not in the outback.
DeleteAlguna he visto en televisión. Buena información Margaret.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Thanks Laura. I've seen it only on our news.
DeleteGoodness! That's different!
ReplyDeleteVery good photographs.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan.
DeleteIt is a shame how the feral camels are destroying the environment. I've never seen a camel race in real life only on TV. It must be uncomfortable for the riders.
ReplyDeleteI expect the riders are used to riding, I would find it most uncomfortable Diane.
DeleteIt looks funny when the camels are racing.
ReplyDeleteYes it does because we are not used to seeing them like that.
DeleteFascinating Margaret, thank you for this very interesting story.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Denise.
DeleteThat is all news to me. I had no idea you had such a camel problem. The races look like fun though!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what you find out when reading other people's blog post - I find it interesting.
DeleteA big day is Camel Racing in the Outback.
Very interesting...this is a new for me that camel can join race...i usually see them as dessert animal. Thanks for writing this. Enjoy your day ^_^
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's different to see camels racing.
DeleteOh wow! I'd love to see a camel race! Pretty neat...as long as they're treated right.
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Yes they do treat the camels right Donna. I can't see any harm in it at all. It's something different.
DeleteThe photos are so lovely and the camels are huge.
ReplyDeleteCamel racing in Australia is such a fascinating part of the country’s history! It’s incredible how these animals, initially brought over for exploration and transport, have become part of local traditions. The fact that there are now over a million feral camels in Australia’s rangelands is a testament to their resilience, though it's unfortunate that they pose challenges to the environment. It's a reminder of how human history can have long-lasting impacts on ecosystems.
I’m excited to share my latest blog post with you! I’d love for you to give it a read and share your thoughts. Thank you: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/08/protected-by-grace-testimony-of-trust-and-gratitude.html
If only those way back could have seen into the future what has happened with so many camels within Australia. Then again the camels were the right thing to do at that time, many people in Australia would have died from thirst and did indeed back then, also hunger.
DeleteWow, has captado unos instantes impresionantes...
ReplyDeleteUn saludo, amiga
Thank you.
DeleteSí, había oído hablar sobre las carreras de camellos, me parecen interesantes, en España creo que no se hacen. Besos.
ReplyDeleteI believe you don't have camel racing in Spain, Teresa.
DeleteSchön die Informationen über Kamele in Australien und den Kamelrennen. Ist wahrscheinlich wie ein Volksfest und ein Spektakel für den Ort des Rennens.
ReplyDeleteSchöne Bilder und ein interessanter Link.
Gruß
Noke
Yes it would be similar to a folk festival, Noke.
DeleteHello Margaret,
ReplyDeleteI had no knowledge about the arrival of camels in Australia and camel racing. Thanks for your informative article. I hope you have a good September. :)
Thank you. Interesting that we have camels in Australia.
DeleteThanks for information on the interesting camel racing here in Aus. We have seen camels in the wild while travelling but never saw camel racing but it would be interesting. I have read about 2 women who (separately) did camel treks across part of Australia, one was Robyn Davies in 1977 and the other was Sophie Matterson in 2020. Their stories were amazing and the movies very interesting. If you haven't heard of them you could Google them.
ReplyDeleteI will Google those two women Rosie as I haven't heard of them...thanks for that.
Delete'Camels in Australia' - sounds like an interesting, yet peculiar story.
ReplyDeleteCamels are desert animals. Personally, I'm not in favor of riding them, certainly not racing them. It might do them harm.
No harm done to the camels Duta, exercise for them, they run for their lives in the desert and Australia has plenty of Desert.
DeleteÈ la prima volta che mi capita di sentire di una corsa di cammelli, devi essere bello vedere e una.
ReplyDeleteCamel races have been going on for many years Stefania, it's something we don't hear of unless you are in the area where they have them.
DeleteWhat an interesting post dear Margaret
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Australia have camels . What a shame i thought they exist in Saudi Arabia only.thanks for adding in my knowledge
Sorry that camel are being threat on many levels
Hugs and blessings
It is interesting that we have camels here in Australia and probably more than there is in those countries that use camels more than we do, Baili.
Delete