Friday, July 12, 2013

Australian Camels

You DID read that correctly.

 We're here to tell you about Australia's feral camels.
Bella                         Roxy                         Daisy
 Back in the 1800s, camels were imported into Australia from Arabia, India and Afghanistan to help explore the vast Australian Outback; and later, take supplies to people who lived there.
Most of the camels are dromedaries (one hump).

 But there were a few Bactrian.  (two humps)
 
 When motor vehicles and trains came on the scene, the camels--about a thousand or so--were released into the wild.
They flourished and the current population is around the million mark and cause major problems for land owners.
(However, we're not going to discuss that here.) 
In 1970, two mates in a pub--this seems to be a pattern here in Oz--made a bet as to whose camel would win a race.
And since then, there is an annual Camel Race in Alice Springs--in the red centre of the continent.
Tomorrow, July 13th will be the annual Lasseter's Cup Camel Race.
It's a fundraiser for the town and there are lots of family events, besides the camel races.
 
 Racing camels are brought from all over and though this start looks fairly organised, no one knows exactly what the camels will do!

Some refuse to move, some run and stop, some turn around...
But that's part of the fun!
Maybe one of these years we'll go.

40 comments:

  1. That looks amazing! There is so much to do here, I wonder how I will fit it all in!!

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  2. No way! Now that's interesting
    Snorts,
    Benny & Lily

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  3. OMD that sounds like fun. Not sure if we'd want to ride one? Wonder if there is a short video of it around? Will have to go and have a look.

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  4. Having grown up in south Australia's min north camels were a regular sight...those and ostriches! Yes ostriches...back in the fourties there was a ostrich farm north of port Augusta ...they were breeding them for the feathers for hats...when that trend died they just released them into the wild and now when you drive between port Augusta and Alice springs you often see them.

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  5. WOW. Camels. I'd really like to chase me one.
    Wags,
    Ranger

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  6. I had no idea. I've been up on a camel once and it was interesting. Don't know if I would have been able to stay on if he'd taken off running.

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  7. Camels? We thought they were funny looking dog's!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  8. WE think the three of YOU should have a camel race... THAT would be fun to see fur sure... you could ride them to the river..

    Of course Ernie says he KNOWS that his Roxy would WIN.

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  9. OMD that is very interesting. I agree with Frankie, I think there should be some camel racing around Blogville!

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  10. That would be fun to watch the camel races.

    Millie & Walter

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  11. I used to work for GM, and some of the engineers went to Alice Springs each year to work with Holden. They would come back and talk about the camel races. How fun!

    Sam

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  12. Girls, have you ever chased a camel? I think that would be GREAT FUN!
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  13. Not too long ago I had read an article about your camels (they even tried a Camel Corps during the war!). I didn't realize that there were so many feral ones roaming around! They must be very successful breeders! I can see where landowners would become frustrated by so many. I imagine they eat a lot of stuff they shouldn't. Sort of like how the ranchers in the US don't like the wild Mustangs and the feral burros.

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  14. I'll have to show you our local camels-but they're not wild.

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  15. Wow - that is very interesting - we didn't know about so many camels in Australia. The camel racing looks a bit wild - not sure I would like to see those great big creatures running so fast! Have a great weekend - woofs and licks from Magic xx

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  16. Dear Commissioners of Everything DownUnder!!!
    Bravo bravo bravo for yet another wonderful post about your beautiful country. OMDs that would be amazing to watch the race too. Mom says she has heard of Alice Springs and it sounds like it would be a lovely place to visit!!
    Hugs to you 3 commissioners
    Your Bfff
    Madi

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  17. How awesome! That is so cool and must be fun to watch and see what the camels decide to do. I love an animal with it's own mind!
    Alyssa, Mr. Fox & Scruffy

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  18. We didn't know you had camels too. That race must be funny to watch. Mom rode a camel once at the state fair and she says it isn't very comfortable and her camel was just walking. She said she wouldn't want to be on one that was running.
    Morgan, Sebastian, the Porties, Syd and Mac

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  19. scotsmad.....
    That sounds like a fun event!! I do hope that they raise lots of money for their fundraiser!! I like camels.... Although I'm not sure if I have ever seen one before!! ;op
    Love, Raelyn.... Plus Rose, my BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE "Mystery Dog"!!



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  20. I hope SHE gets to go some day - it loks like a fun event!!

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  21. Well does she let you bet on the race. Maybe number three since there are three of you. Those camels spit.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog this week.
    Sweet William The Scot

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  22. OMD first Kangaroos and now Camels! I'm not sure what I'd do if I saw one of those out on my trails Daisy...You have a wonderful Friday!

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  23. we had no idea about this very very interesting have a fab friday and a great weekend

    urban hounds

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  24. Howdy Girls, it is amazing isn't it that we have the most wild camels in the world (well according to our dad!). Even though camels spit, mum kinda likes them. See ya mates and have a good weekend. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  25. This sounds like a lot of fun!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  26. Feral animals are such a HUGE problem... *sigh*

    But I bet the race is funny to watch!

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  27. That camel cup sounds like my name. Lassiters cup. BOL.

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  28. Oh, I would love to chase, um, I mean WATCH camel races!!! That would be soooo funs! Just stay backs cause I heard they spit! Yucks!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  29. Hi Tobi
    if ever you head off to DARWIN, call into Tamworth area and pick me up, have always wanted to go there.
    Hugs from Barb and Toby

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  30. That sounds like such a cool thing to go and watch. I do hope you get to go one year so you can get pictures for us to watch.
    Bert

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  31. Well, I never knew there were camels in Australia.
    The race sounds like good fun.

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  32. We never knew you got camels in Auzzie..Now this is funny, todsay in Kent UK, they have a show on and they are doing camel racing..BOL Lovely tribute to darling Thunder xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  33. Thank you all so much for your sweet tribute to our dear brother Thunder. We miss him so much, but your kindness made us all smile today. It is wonderful to have pals like you.

    Woos - Phantom, Ciara, Lightning, and Mom

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  34. Love those pictures of Thunder. I hope no camels was harmed in the filming of crazy camel race!

    love,
    Reuben

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  35. That was a fun read. Your mention of Alice Springs reminds me of the PBS show "A Town Like Alice." My husband and I spent many a weekend evening watching the show with my parents and sister after dinner. What a nice memory. Thanks for prompting it.

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  36. Hi there, I've never seen a camel before. But then, I haven't seen kangaroos and wallabies and koalas too. My peeps say that once I grow up, they will go traveling around Australia with me. Maybe I'll get to see the camel race too.
    Nice to meet ya.
    Roy

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