Australia begins cull of over 10,000 wild camels due to drought

Lack of water is driving them into towns.

Australia began the process of culling over 10,000 wild camels on Wednesday following severe heat and drought in the country. The camels will be shot from helicopters as the ongoing drought in Australia drives the large herds of animals to search for water in remote indigenous towns. The five-day cull in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands is the region's first major cull of feral animals. "There is extreme pressure on remote Aboirignal communities in the APY lands and their pastoral [livestock] operations as the camels search for water," APY's general manager Richard King said in a statement. "Given ongoing dry conditions and the large camel congregations threatening all of the main APY communities and infrastructure, immediate camel control is needed," he added. Some feral horses will also be killed in the cull as temperatures in the area have reached 50 degrees, sending the thirsty animals into towns, causing damage and safety hazards for residents. A Department for Environment spokesperson told CBS News the camels have caused “significant damage to infrastructure, danger to families and communities” with some camels dying of thirst and trampling each other trying to get water. In some cases, the dead animals have contaminated important local water supplies in indigenous areas. Australia has one of the largest camel populations in the world. Since they were imported into the country in the 1800s, the camel numbers have ballooned with over one million thought to be roaming inland deserts in the country. At least 24 people have died nationwide during this fire season. While the fires have touched every state in Australia, New South Wales has been the hardest hit. It's thought that 480 million animals have died in the bushfires. In a statement on Monday, Police said they have charged at least 24 people for intentionally starting bushfires in NSW.