Thirsty camels lay siege to Australian Outback town – ‘a plague of biblical proportions’
Docker River, an Australian Outback town, is under siege from 6,000 wild camels which have laid waste to the area in search of water. 
By Murray Wardrop
Published: 4:20PM GMT 26 Nov 2009 Residents in the Northern Territory settlement have been left cowering in their homes after the animals trampled fences, smashed through water mains and invaded the airstrip. The camels, driven to extreme lengths by prolonged drought, have even tried to force their way into people’s homes to drink water from air conditioning units and taps. However, authorities are planning to reclaim the town, which is home to around 350 people, by herding up the camels with helicopters and shooting them. Rob Knight, the local government minister, said: “The community of Docker River is under siege by 6,000 marauding, wild camels. “This is a very critical situation out there, it’s very unusual and it needs urgent action. We don’t have the luxury of time because the herd is getting bigger.” The government has pledged $49,000 Australian (£27,000) to combating the camels and repairing damage they have caused. Over the next week, helicopters will be used to drive them about nine miles into the desert before marksmen cull them from the air. The move has been welcomed by the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. It’s chief Luke Bowen said: “This is a plague of biblical proportions laying waste to a sensitive and arid environment. We have to have action, we have to have it now.” …
