Modelling management options for management of feral camels in central Australia

Abstract:

The objectives of this study are to: Determine the impact of harvesting on camel population dynamics. This includes a sensitivity analysis to determine the relative importance of age-specific mortality and fecundity to the rate of increase. Further, the study assessed the harvest required to reduce population increase rate to zero and to reduce populations to particular target densities. Determine environmental predictors of camel distribution in the Northern Territory. Identify areas in the Northern Territory where commercial harvesting is feasible and the resultant potential reduction in densities is possible. To achieve these objectives we used models to examine strategies for managing wild camels in the Northern Territory.