GOLDFIELDS NULLARBOR RANGELANDS BIOSECURITY ASSOCIATION
CAMEL TRAP YARD PROJECT
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Self-Mustering Trap Yard Pilot was initiated to assist pastoralists in the GNRBA region to purchase self-mustering yard material to install yard infrastructure around strategic water points on pastoral properties along the desert interface. Trap yards were installed at water points on 8 pastoral
properties to improve livestock welfare to:
• Ensure that livestock have access to water.
• Protect water infrastructure from damage made by camels.
• Enable easy trapping and mustering of livestock (or camels).
• Provide the option to cull camel numbers as they congregate
around the water points.
This project is supported by funding from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
AIMS AND OPJECTIVES
The aim of the pilot was to evidence the effectiveness and
suitability of self-mustering trap yard infrastructure to:
1) be successfully modified to enable the trapping
of camels for commercial purposes.
2) exclude camels from strategic water points,
ensuring access for livestock
As part of this project, a full Work Plan was developed and
submitted which included:
• design and implementation
• selection criteria and location of trap yards
• funding details
• timeframe
• monitoring and evaluation
CONCLUSION
With the information gathered from this pilot program, trap yards (both portable and permanent) indicate to be an effective way to successfully manage livestock and
camels at watering points, from both a trapping and welfare perspective. It is recommended that further monitoring is needed using remote cameras to observe camel behaviour within and around yards. This will give a much better understanding of their abilities and limitations around such infrastructure.
The recent season was not a particularly dry one as widespread rain was received, therefore less camels came out of the desert looking for man-made water points on
pastoral properties. There were still extensive camel sightings in pastoral country, they were just not as desperate for water as they have been when there is limited water available, or they were able to ‘refill’ at natural water courses rather than relying on water points built to support cattle.
A great deal more is known and understood regarding self mustering using trap yards which gives participants and any interested parties more confidence to further
investigate potential commercial activities. This may be regarding LFH and/or cattle opportunities. GNRBA looks forward to continuing to monitor these yards and
encourage ongoing interest in what can be learnt from this initiative.
GNRBA greatly appreciated the opportunity to conduct this valuable pilot project as although LFH are an increasing issue in the region, the benefits from viewing the issue as potentially providing opportunities could have positive ramifications for the region and its people.
