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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 32(1)

Movements and landscape use of camels in central Australia revealed by GPS satellite

Mark R. Lethbridge A C , Nicole Anderson A , Megan L. Harper A and Phil Gee B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

B Senior Consultant (Animal and Plant Control – Large Feral Herbivores), Rural Solutions SA, SA 5001, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: mark.lethbridge@flinders.edu.au

The Rangeland Journal 32(1) 33-41 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ09050
Submitted: 21 July 2009  Accepted: 17 December 2009   Published: 23 March 2010

Abstract

We analysed the movement of seven female camels collared in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands of South Australia. Understanding the movement patterns of feral camels and subsequently where high densities are likely to threaten biodiversity and cultural assets, provides land managers and government agencies with information and decision support tools to manage camel impacts. Accordingly, we tested if there were any seasonal changes in camel movement, any measurable separation between home range and migration, and any relationship between broader camel landscape use, rainfall and mountainous terrain. We fitted ARGOS GPS satellite collars to seven female camels in South Australia during August 2007 and found evidence to suggest that over a 12-month study period, some camels had returned to locations that they had previously visited. This cyclic movement pattern was more regular up to ~50 days, however, one collared individual returned to a previous location after 300 days. Despite only having a small sample size, we did find camels moving into areas that received higher rainfalls in the warmer months and possibly some attraction of these camels to steep mountainous terrain over this period.

Additional keywords: biotelemetry, Camelus dromedarius, habitat utilisation.


Acknowledgements

This project would not have been possible without the funding support from the Australian Federal Government, the Department for Environment and Heritage South Australia, the Department of Environment and Conservation Western Australia, Desert Channels Queensland Inc., Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation South Australia, Alinytjara Wilurara NRM Board, South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Management. The project was approved by the South Australian Wildlife Ethics Committee.


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