Low-allergenic camel meat helps curb feral population

Feral camels are a significant issue for pastoralists in central Australia, causing damage to cattle water points, infrastructure, and vegetation. The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development estimates there are over 1 million feral camels roaming central Australia. Prenti Downs station, a 400,000-hectare property near the Gibson Desert, has partnered with a pet food company to address the feral camel population problem.

The company, Paul's Pet Foods, uses camel meat to feed pets with allergies, resulting in a win-win situation for both the property and the pet food business.

Tim Carmody, the pastoralist on Prenti Downs, spends between $20,000 and $30,000 annually to manage the fluctuating camel numbers. He employs a pet food business to kill the camels and use them for meat, flying his plane to spot and guide shooters on the ground. In a single hour, they can eliminate a mob of 50-60 camels. Carmody hopes that this method will eventually become a commercial operation, making camel population control sustainable and eliminating the feral camel problem.

Paul's Pet Foods has seen a 20% increase in camel meat production each year since 2022, with up to 250 camels culled annually. The demand for camel meat is growing as more pet owners seek to manage their dogs' skin allergies. Camel meat is considered a low-allergen product, as it has no farm contact, such as fertilizers, chemicals, or drenches, making it a beneficial choice for pets with allergies.

Veterinarian Shey Rogers recommends camel meat as a novel diet for pets with itching or skin issues, as it allows veterinarians to pinpoint the source of inflammation through a diet change.