Wild Camel Chase 🐪 | Out There with Jack Randall Full Episode | @natgeokids

The Australian Outback: Rescue, Adaptation, and the Fight for Survival

Key Concepts: Feral Camels, Brumby Horses, Thorn Devil Lizard, Prey Monitor Lizard, Camel Milk Production, Horse Whispering, Desert Adaptation, Animal Rescue, Ecological Impact of Feral Animals, Aboriginal Bush Tucker.

Introduction

This video documents Jack Randall’s journey into the Australian Red Center, a harsh desert environment, to observe and assist in the rescue of feral camels and horses facing starvation due to a severe drought. The expedition highlights the unique adaptations of native wildlife, the challenges posed by introduced species, and the efforts to find sustainable solutions for their survival.

1. The Red Center: A Harsh Landscape & Native Adaptations

The Red Center of Australia, comparable to the Sahara Desert in its vastness and aridity, presents extreme survival challenges. The landscape is characterized by red sand and intense heat. Despite these conditions, life persists. The video focuses on the remarkable adaptation of the Thorny Devil lizard (Moloch horridus).

• Thorny Devil Adaptations: This native reptile conserves energy by remaining motionless and possesses a unique method of water collection. Grooves along its skin channel moisture from the sand to its mouth, allowing it to drink without a visible water source. It also employs camouflage and a “false head” decoy to evade predators.
• Diet: The Thorny Devil’s diet consists solely of ants, consuming up to 3,000 per day.
• Defense Mechanisms: Its thorny exterior provides protection against predators.

2. The Camel & Brumby Dilemma: Introduced Species & Ecological Impact

Camels and horses, not native to Australia, were introduced approximately 200 years ago as pack animals for exploration and infrastructure development. Following their utility, they were released into the wild, and their populations have exploded due to a lack of natural predators.

• Population Numbers: Approximately 1 million feral camels and 300,000 Brumby horses roam the Australian outback.
• Competition for Resources: These large herbivores compete with native wildlife for scarce food and water, particularly during prolonged droughts.
• Government Culling: The federal and Northern Territory governments recently authorized the culling of 265,000 camels to mitigate their environmental impact.

3. King’s Creek Station: A Sustainable Approach – Redomestication & Camel Milk Production

Ian Conway of King’s Creek Station is pioneering a sustainable approach to managing feral camels and horses. His strategy focuses on redomestication, aiming to integrate these animals into the local economy and provide them with a more secure future.

• Station Size: King’s Creek Station encompasses approximately 1,000 square kilometers (600 miles).
• Camel Milk Production: The station has established a camel milking farm, producing milk and cheese. This provides a potential economic incentive for ranchers to manage camel populations.
• Horse Training: Brumby horses are being captured and “whispered” – a gentle training method based on trust and communication – to become riding horses.

4. Camel Capture Techniques: Helicopter Mustering & Ground Wrangling

The process of capturing feral camels is challenging and potentially dangerous. Two primary methods are employed:

• Helicopter Mustering: Helicopters are used to round up camels, driving them towards designated areas.
• Ground Wrangling: Teams on the ground, using vehicles and physical strength, attempt to guide the camels into trailers. This involves a high degree of risk, as camels are powerful and unpredictable.
• Safety Concerns: Shep, a seasoned camel handler, emphasizes the danger involved, stating, “You’ll be hanging on for grim death. I can tell you that.”

5. Horse Capture & Whispering: Building Trust & Rehabilitation

Capturing Brumby horses involves trapping them at waterholes. The focus then shifts to “whispering” – a technique that prioritizes building trust and communication over traditional dominance-based training.

• Whispering Methodology: Anna, a horse whisperer, emphasizes desensitization, gradually introducing the horse to human contact and tools (ropes, touch) while respecting its boundaries.
• Body Language: Reading the horse’s body language (ear position, tension) is crucial to understanding its comfort level and avoiding triggering aggressive responses.
• Quote (Anna): “You’ve got to keep remembering that this is a young stallion that was a wild horse yesterday. This is his first day with human contact. So, he’s doing a great job.”

6. Encounter with a Prey Monitor Lizard: A Powerful Predator

The expedition also encounters a Prey Monitor Lizard (Varanus giganteus), the largest lizard in Australia. This encounter highlights the resilience and predatory prowess of native wildlife.

• Physical Characteristics: The lizard possesses razor-sharp teeth, a powerful tail used for defense, and a venomous saliva that prevents blood clotting.
• Hunting Strategy: It can run up to 25 mph, chasing down prey.
• Quote (Jack): “Their curved back teeth, lots of them. If it bitten to me, my flesh would be cut open straight away. Be like a shark attack.”

7. Aboriginal Bush Tucker: The Witchetty Grub

The video briefly explores traditional Aboriginal food sources, specifically the witchetty grub – a larva found in acacia tree roots.

• Nutritional Value: Witchetty grubs are high in protein and were a staple food for Aboriginal people in remote areas.
• Consumption: The grubs can be eaten raw or cooked.
• Quote (Jack): “That actually doesn’t have a huge crazy taste, but um yeah, it’s actually it’s got a creamy taste to it actually.”

8. Second Camel Muster Attempt & Final Reflections

A second attempt to muster a herd of camels using helicopters and ground vehicles initially fails due to the camels’ intelligence and ability to evade capture. However, a subsequent ambush strategy proves successful, resulting in the capture of 14 camels. The video concludes with Jack riding a Brumby he helped tame, reflecting on the importance of finding sustainable solutions for managing feral animals and recognizing their historical significance.

• Quote (Jack): “100 years ago, we neglected these animals. They were set free to try and survive in this environment. But they don't belong here. They actually belong with us, with people.”

Conclusion

The video provides a compelling glimpse into the challenges and opportunities of managing feral animal populations in the Australian outback. It underscores the importance of understanding animal behavior, embracing sustainable practices like redomestication, and respecting the cultural significance of these animals while mitigating their ecological impact. The journey highlights the resilience of both the native wildlife and the dedicated individuals working to ensure their survival in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.