Identification and management of a single large population of wild dromedary camels

Spencer, Peter B. S.; Giustiniano, Danielle; Hampton, Jordan O.; Gee, Phil; Burrows, Neil; Rose, Ken; Martin, Gary R.; Woolnough, Andrew P.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.381

Cited by 18 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…In particular, the scales of the body, the local and the global are currently overlooked in camel management, but present possibilities for conceptualisation and action. For example, Spencer et al (2012) suggest a focus on local impacts and management through asset protection, and in so doing they disrupt the apparent 'naturalness' of the national scale. Zeng & Gerritsen (2013 acknowledge that 'commercial harvest … could generate economic benefits to some stakeholders, such as Aboriginal communities, and reduce local camel populations in targeted areas'.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zeng & Gerritsen (2013 acknowledge that 'commercial harvest … could generate economic benefits to some stakeholders, such as Aboriginal communities, and reduce local camel populations in targeted areas'. Their point is highly relevant in light of Spencer et al (2012); however, camel management documents largely present local action as marginal in the face of a national problem. In contrast, weed management projects in QLD highlight the relevance of specific local circumstances for developing alternative relations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spencer et al (2012) find that Australian camels represent a single population, and use 'extraordinary large areas' within arid environments. Animal eradication or sustained population reduction is found to be feasible 'only in the face of very low re-invasion potential' (p1255); that is, in instances of small, discrete populations.…”

Section: Although the Camel Remains The Same Materials Being Through Imentioning

confidence: 92%

“…New circumstances create a new camel assemblage: continent-scale population and density (Spencer et al, 2012); recorded impacts on ecological features and functions, social and cultural sites, livelihoods and community infrastructure (Edwards et al, 2008); and a growing number and range of people and communities expressing concern over reported impacts, including pastoralists, conservation reserve managers and Aboriginal people (Vaarzon-Morel and Zeng and Edwards, 2010). Notably, several studies have found that Aboriginal people hold camels and other introduced species to 'belong' to country (Rose, 1995;Trigger, 2008 Matter and processes -including camel bodies, breeding and feeding patterns, waterholes, fences, aerial surveys and models -come together to produce a range of effects.…”

Section: Although the Camel Remains The Same Materials Being Through Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dead bodies attract and artificially benefit scavengers in ecosystems. Absence of live camels provides opportunities for other animals-individuals of introduced and native species-to thrive (as noted in the Plan [NRMMC, 2010]), and for other camels to 're-invade' (Spencer et al, 2012). This last point aside (opportunities for other animals), the material aftermath of death is absent from management plans, and is also rendered conceptually absent.…”

Section: Although the Camel Remains The Same Materials Being Through Imentioning

confidence: 99%

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Camel country: Assemblage, belonging and scale in invasive species geographies

2015

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Invasive species and their impacts have become a focus of global environmental management. Invasive, alien and feral species are understood to represent destructive categories of organisms. However, in the context of contemporary environmental change and uncertainty, the native/alien dichotomy is no longer tenable as the basis for decision-making, and the focus on impacts presents an impasse in environmental management. The differential status of camels (Camelus dromedarius) over time and space illustrates the complexity of species management. In this paper we seek to move beyond the native/alien dichotomy, and disrupt the discourse of impacts, through an analysis of camel assemblages in Australia. We draw on assemblage thinking to critique the circumstances under which camels are deemed to belong, or not, and to reveal aspects of the camel story often ignored in its contemporary telling. We present three case studies: first, an historical case of the introduction of camels to Australia; second, camel management through a national-scale culling program; and third, relations between camels and 'weeds' in which camels are deemed simultaneously to belong and not belong. We argue that assemblage thinking disrupts fixed categories, and reveals agency beyond that of individual species, thus contributing to multi-scalar considerations. We find that camel belonging does not emerge from the animal or species itself, but is contingent. Finally, we argue that camel management is currently firmly imagined and enacted at the national scale, but in the context of contemporary environmental change invasive species management must take into account processes and relations across multiple scales. Invasive, alien and feral species are understood to represent destructive categories of organisms.However, in the context of contemporary environmental change and uncertainty, the native/alien dichotomy is no longer tenable as the basis for decision-making, and the focus on impacts presents an impasse in environmental management. The differential status of camels (Camelus dromedarius) over time and space illustrates the complexity of species management. In this paper we seek to move beyond the native/alien dichotomy, and disrupt the discourse of impacts, through an analysis of camel assemblages in Australia. We draw on assemblage thinking to critique the circumstances under which camels are deemed to belong, or not, and to reveal aspects of the camel story often ignored in its contemporary telling. We present three case studies: first, an historical case of the introduction of camels to Australia; second, camel management through a national-scale culling program; and third, relations between camels and 'weeds' in which camels are deemed simultaneously to belong and not belong. We argue that assemblage thinking disrupts fixed categories, and reveals agency beyond that of individual species, thus contributing to multi-scalar considerations. We find that camel belonging does not emerge from the animal or species itself, but is cont...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Although the Camel Remains The Same Materials Being Through Imentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Although the Camel Remains The Same Materials Being Through Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Although the Camel Remains The Same Materials Being Through Imentioning

confidence: 99%

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Camel country: Assemblage, belonging and scale in invasive species geographies

2015

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Widespread hybridization in the introduced hog deer population of Victoria, Australia, and its implications for conservation

Hill

Linacre

Toop³

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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In Australia, many species have been introduced that have since undergone drastic declines in their native range. One species of note is the hog deer (Axis porcinus) which was introduced in the 1860s to Victoria, Australia, and has since become endangered in its native range throughout South‐East Asia. There is increased interest in using non‐native populations as a source for genetic rescue; however, considerations need to be made of the genetic suitability of the non‐native population. Three mitochondrial markers and two nuclear markers were sequenced to assess the genetic variation of the Victorian population of hog deer, which identified that the Victorian population has hybrid origins with the closely related chital (Axis axis), a species that is no longer present in the wild in Victoria. In addition, the mitochondrial D‐loop region within the Victorian hog deer is monomorphic, demonstrating that mitochondrial genetic diversity is very low within this population. This study is the first to report of long‐term persistence of hog deer and chital hybrids in a wild setting, and the continual survival of this population suggests that hybrids of these two species are fertile. Despite the newly discovered hybrid status in Victorian hog deer, this population may still be beneficial for future translocations within the native range. However, more in‐depth analysis of genetic diversity within the Victorian hog deer population and investigation of hybridization rates within the native range are necessary before translocations are attempted.

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Genetic relationships within social groups influence the application of the Judas technique: A case study with wild dromedary camels

Spencer

Hampton²,

Pacioni

et al. 2014

Jour. Wild. Mgmt.

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The Judas animal control technique relies on the social nature of some invasive species to betray the location of their companions. It is an effective method of enhancing shooting programs in highly gregarious mammal species. We used social genetic data to examine the utility of the Judas technique in a novel species: wild dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Firstly, we used molecular data (13 microsatellite markers from 1,050 camels) to characterize genetic diversity and relatedness within and between observed social groups.

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Identification and management of a single large population of wild dromedary camels

Cited by 18 publications

References 66 publications

Camel country: Assemblage, belonging and scale in invasive species geographies

Camel country: Assemblage, belonging and scale in invasive species geographies

Widespread hybridization in the introduced hog deer population of Victoria, Australia, and its implications for conservation

Genetic relationships within social groups influence the application of the Judas technique: A case study with wild dromedary camels

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