Remarkable Wild Bactrian Camels Thrive on Saltwater in Harsh Nuclear Desert

The wild Bactrian camel inhabits the Gobi Desert, uniquely able to consume water with salt concentrations exceeding that of ocean water, a phenomenon yet to be fully understood by researchers. This extraordinary trait is absent in domesticated Bactrian camels.

With fewer than 1,000 individuals estimated to persist in northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia, these camels, scientifically named Camelus ferus, occupy desolate desert zones characterized by scarce freshwater, extreme climate, and increasing human pressures.

Unlike feral camels descended from domesticated stock, genetic evidence confirms this species as distinct from domestic Bactrian camels. Locally called the havtgai or “flathead” in Mongolia, referencing its unique forehead shape, it remains the only true wild camel surviving today.

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Unraveling the Mystery of Saltwater Survival

In certain Chinese regions, wild camels resort to drinking salty slush due to absence of fresh water. The EDGE of Existence documentation from 2007 notes that this water would be lethal to most mammals.

This salt tolerance is not universal among two-humped camels; specifically, domestic varieties cannot withstand such salinity. The exact physiological mechanisms enabling wild camels to tolerate and process such saline water remain unknown to science.

This unique capability highlights genetic differences: studies analyzing skin samples from deceased wild camels show two to three genetic variants differing from their domesticated relatives, with a base variation of about 3%. These findings reinforce the idea that existing herds descend from original wild populations rather than domestic escapees.

Preserving genetic purity is crucial in conservation efforts, as interbreeding with domestic camels can dilute the wild gene pool. Notably, the wild camels inhabiting China’s Gashun Gobi remain isolated from domestic counterparts, making their conservation vital.

Challenges in Accurate Population Assessments

Wild Bactrian camel numbers are believed to be under 1,000 individuals, though official counts vary. The ZSL conservation initiative estimates roughly 600 reside in China and 450 in Mongolia, collectively under 1,000.

Historical estimations similarly displayed discrepancies. In 2007, EDGE reported about 450 camels in Mongolia’s Great Gobi Reserve A and around 650 in three separate areas in China’s Xinjiang region.

Obtaining exact population data is complicated by the camels’ rarity, vast and remote habitats, harsh environmental conditions, and logistical challenges stemming from political issues. Attempts to derive trustworthy counts in the past have thus been inconclusive, according to ZSL.

Beginning in April 2019, a pilot research placed 180 camera traps in Mongolia’s Great Gobi Special Protected Area A. The project, involving scientists, rangers, and border patrol, collected data for analysis until October 2021. The Wild Camel Protection Foundation, ZSL, and Prague Zoo collaborated on this population study.

Mongolia’s wild camel population remains restricted to this protected zone, while most others inhabit fragmented regions within China’s Gobi, resulting in a divided global population spread across two countries.

Camels Survived Nuclear Testing but Face Modern Threats

The population living in the Gashun Gobi region resides within a former nuclear test site in China, having withstood more than 43 atmospheric nuclear detonations. However, the scientific data does not confirm if they developed radiation resistance or entirely escaped biological impacts.

The area's seclusion likely provided indirect protection by limiting human access during testing, thereby reducing hunting and disturbances. After cessation of tests, illegal hunting and mining for minerals such as gold and iron escalated.

John Hare, founder of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation, commented to BBC News in 2001, “The remote location has helped preserve the camels,” while describing increasing incursions by hunters and miners. He also mentioned land mines placed near the saltwater springs critical for the camels’ survival.

Threats vary throughout the camels’ range: wolves pose a significant danger in Mongolia’s Gobi, whereas illegal poaching and mining are more pressing concerns in China. Broader challenges include habitat degradation, climate change-driven desertification, and hybridization with domestic camels.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classified the wild camel as Critically Endangered in 2002. ZSL ranks it among the top eight most endangered large mammals. Given the uncertainty in population numbers, continuous monitoring remains critical.

Ongoing Efforts Target Habitat Protection and Genetic Diversity

The Wild Camel Protection Foundation played a key role in establishing the 175,000-square-kilometre Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve in China. Additionally, a captive breeding program at Zakhyn Us, Mongolia, supports a safeguarded population away from immediate dangers.

Mongolian research focuses on assessing inbreeding within captive animals, gauging wild camel genetic diversity, and investigating hybridization frequencies among captive and wild groups. ZSL’s Institute of Zoology partners with the Wild Camel Protection Foundation, University of Kent, and University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna to supply data for national conservation planning.

The project also examines camel movement patterns within the Great Gobi Special Protected Area A. Understanding their critical sites for travel and water sources informs effective management of this vast, sparsely inhabited habitat, although gathering such data remains a formidable challenge.

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