Camel racing

In addition to being slaughtered for sale, Australian camels are also used in racing. Marketed as 'the Melbourne Cup of Camel Races', QLD's 'Boulia Camel Races' is an annual event which runs in much the same way as horse racing. Camel racing is also seen in the NT, with the 'Uluru Camel Cup' and the 'Alice Springs Camel Cup'. Even NSW sees camel racing events, with 'Camel Racing Down Under' hosting races in Penrith, Gosford, Goulburn, Bathurst, and Bulli.

The welfare concerns regarding camel racing somewhat mirror those seen in horse racing, and the industry is more shrouded in mystery than the latter. According to the Code of Practice, camels can be 'broken in' for riding from 3 years of age. 'Breaking in' refers to the process of destroying a wild animal's natural instincts in order to be controlled by humans. The Code recommends the use of patience and positive reinforcement in training. The use of 'hobbling' overnight and for periods of up to 12 hours is also accepted, provided that the camels are trained. Hobbling is the process of immobilising an animal by taking away their ability to walk. There are different methods, but generally will involve either tying the camel's legs to one another, or tying one front leg in a bent position. When 'working' wild camels, the Code accepts the 'sparing' use of goads (spiked sticks) and electric jiggers. Electric jiggers (essentially a concentrated taser) are deemed to be so 'cruel' and 'medieval' that they are illegal in horse racing, with famed Australian horse trainer Darren Weir currently in court over their possession and potential use. 

In perhaps the most disagreeable practice within the camel industry, nose pegging remains legal in Australia. Generally, a hole is punched, cut, or seared through a certain part in the nose, and a wooden peg is fed through the hole from the inside out. This peg then sits permanently in the nose, similar to a ring in a bull's nose. From this, a string or rope is attached to the outside of the peg, and used to control the camel's movement. It is said that if you need to use such an abrupt form of control, you are doing something wrong. The Code recognises that nose-pegged camels are more effectively controlled than haltered camels, yet acknowledges that it infringes on the camel's welfare. While haltering is 'preferable', nose-pegging remains legal and accepted, based on the 'nature of the animal'. Nose pegs have the potential to cause substantial pain and injury to a camel, with a 'light tug' expected to be enough to control them. Looking at Boulia Camel Races, the Uluru Camel Cup, and the Alice Springs Camel Cup past event photographs, every single camel has been nose pegged.

Where to from here?

While the commercial camel industry remains small, those on the inside are actively trying to grow it. Seeing camels as a 'valuable resource', they're pushing for more camel meat, milk, and targeted commercial slaughter (while condemning camel culling, given that it raises no profits). In a time where the human commercial use and consumption of cows, pigs, chickens, fish, horses, and countless other species is already considered a 'natural' commonplace within our society, we need not let another species be added to the list. While the numbers of camels currently being profited off in Australia remains relatively small, and their treatment remains vastly less horrific than the well-established dairy and horse racing industries, for example, this will only worsen as the industry grows larger. According to a 2020 ABC broadcast, even if domestic and international markets were secured, camels would probably need to be farmed, to ensure consistency of quality and supply. With an industry that is 'crying out to be developed', we are in the unique position of being able to stand up for these camels before their exploitation becomes normalised and accepted.

How you can help

Education and avoiding camel products and events is critical in helping shrink the Australian camel industry and the suffering of Australian camels. You can also be the voice for wild camels by letting your local MP know that you do not support lethal methods of population control, and by supporting the work of our MP Emma Hurst who is fighting for the use of immunocontraceptives as a scientifically backed, humane method of reducing wild animal populations. 

Our Regional Groups continue to take action against camel racing and cruelty, holding vigils and protests outside racing events and abattoirs. You can join and support their work by becoming a member of the Animal Justice Party HERE. Your support and membership fee will also go toward helping us put demonised animals like camels on the political agenda, and let the NSW Government know we are unified in helping to end animal suffering.