Wild camel

    In the barren Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia lives the critically endangered wild camel.

    In the harsh and inhospitable Gobi Desert of China and Mongolia lives one of the world’s rarest and most endangered mammal species — the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus); a relative of the domesticated Bactrian camel found at Kolmården Wildlife Park. The species is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN and is genetically distinct from the domesticated camel more commonly found in the region. The wild camel is adapted to extreme environmental conditions, but its future is seriously threatened by human impact.

    Wild camel

    In the barren Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia lives the critically endangered wild camel.

    In the harsh and inhospitable Gobi Desert of China and Mongolia lives one of the world’s rarest and most endangered mammal species — the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus); a relative of the domesticated Bactrian camel found at Kolmården Wildlife Park. The species is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN and is genetically distinct from the domesticated camel more commonly found in the region. The wild camel is adapted to extreme environmental conditions, but its future is seriously threatened by human impact.

    Wild Camel Protection Foundation

    Since 2003, the Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) has been one of the leading organizations working to save the wild camel from extinction. In collaboration with local and international partners, WCPF runs a breeding and conservation program in the buffer zone of the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area "A" in Mongolia — one of the most remote protected areas in the world. While wild camels are being bred, significant efforts are also being made to preserve their natural habitat.

    Through the use of camera traps, image analysis, and DNA sample collection from the area, researchers have gained insight into which species inhabit the region and the levels of activity occurring there. The traps have revealed signs of both domesticated camels and human activity, but also promising evidence of wild camel presence.

    At the center, wild camels are bred in a protected environment as a safeguard against extinction. The young camels are prepared for life in the wild and are released into the nearby protected area. To monitor their adaptation, they are fitted with GPS transmitters, providing researchers with essential data on their movements, behavior, and survival.

    New Breeding Center and International Support

    To increase population numbers and reduce geographic risk, an additional breeding center has been established in Soum, a region near the original facility. This new center has expanded the program’s breeding capacity and enabled a broader distribution of genetic diversity within the species.

    Kolmården Foundation has been a key partner in the project, contributing financially to the training and education of newly hired staff at the new center.

    Challenges in Conservation Work

    Despite successes, the project faces several significant challenges. The most pressing threats include:

    1. Illegal Hunting: Wild camels are sometimes hunted for their meat or for use in traditional medicine, despite protective legislation.
    2. Habitat Destruction: Mining operations, road construction, and water extraction in the Gobi Desert are destroying crucial grazing and water areas.
    3. Hybridization with Domesticated Camels: There is a risk of genetic contamination when wild camels mate with escaped domestic animals. DNA analyses conducted by the project indicate a certain level of hybridization in regions where humans keep Bactrian camels.
    4. Climate Change: Rising temperatures and longer drought periods impact the availability of both water and food.

    Hope for the Future and Global Commitment

    Despite the difficulties, the Wild Camel Protection Foundation has succeeded in generating international commitment to the survival of the wild camel. Through education, research, and hands-on fieldwork, they contribute to preserving not just a species but also a unique ecosystem.

    This conservation work is a long-term commitment that requires continued international collaboration and financial support — but it also offers hope that one of the world’s most endangered mammals may once again thrive in the wild.