The Bactrian camel, easily recognized by its two prominent humps, is a remarkable mammal native to the harsh, arid landscapes of Central and East Asia. These animals possess an extraordinary ability to withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations of the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, ranging from scorching summers to bitter winters. Despite their famed resilience, the species faces an acute crisis in the wild, placing it among the most severely threatened large mammals globally.
The Critical Distinction Wild Versus Domesticated Populations
The question of how many Bactrian camels remain requires a fundamental distinction between the two existing populations. The vast majority of two-humped camels are the domesticated variety, Camelus bactrianus, which are common throughout Asia. This domesticated group is robust and numerous, with a thriving population estimated to be around two million individuals across countries like China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.
However, the critically endangered animal is the wild Bactrian camel, scientifically designated as Camelus ferus. Genetic analysis confirms that the wild camel is a separate species entirely, having diverged from the domesticated lineage approximately 0.7 to 1.1 million years ago. This genetic separation means conservation efforts are focused exclusively on the small, non-domesticated population to preserve its unique evolutionary heritage.
Current Global Population Status
The global population of the wild Bactrian camel is exceptionally small, currently estimated to be fewer than 1,500 individuals, with some conservation organizations suggesting the total is closer to 950. This alarming scarcity has led to the species being officially classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2002.
The remaining wild camels are scattered across highly fragmented territories in the remote deserts of Northwest China and Southwest Mongolia. The largest known sub-populations are split between these two countries, with roughly 600 individuals residing in China and 350 to 450 in Mongolia. In China, the camels are primarily confined to the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve and the Altun Shan region.
The Mongolian population is concentrated within the Great Gobi Reserve A. These animals are forced to travel vast distances across their arid habitat in search of scarce water and forage. This natural movement, often in small groups of two to fifteen members, makes population monitoring and protection challenging for conservationists. The trend for the wild population remains downward, indicating that the pressures on the species continue to outweigh current recovery efforts.
Major Threats Driving Population Decline
The decline of the wild Bactrian camel population stems from a combination of human activity and environmental pressures within its limited range. One significant and complex threat is the hybridization with the more numerous domestic Bactrian camels. As the wild animals are pushed closer to human settlements due to habitat loss, interbreeding occurs, which dilutes the unique wild gene pool and compromises the species’ long-term genetic integrity.
Illegal hunting, or poaching, is another direct cause of mortality, driven by the demand for meat and hides. Estimates suggest that between 45 and 50 wild camels are poached annually across the Gobi and Lop Nur reserves alone. Poachers sometimes employ crude methods, such as placing land mines near the camels’ crucial salt water springs.
Habitat loss and fragmentation represent a further pervasive challenge, largely due to resource extraction activities. The expansion of legal and illegal mining operations severely impacts the environment by introducing new infrastructure, such as roads and industrial sites, which fragment the habitat and restrict access to traditional grazing and watering grounds. Competition for limited resources, especially water, with grazing domestic livestock and the effects of prolonged drought further stress the already fragile wild herds.
International Conservation Efforts
Recognizing the species’ dire situation, conservation strategies are being implemented through international cooperation between Mongolia and China. A foundational component of protection is the establishment of large, strictly protected areas, such as the Great Gobi Reserve A in Mongolia and the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve in China. These reserves are designed to safeguard the core areas of the camel’s remaining habitat and provide a buffer against human encroachment.
The Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) operates a dedicated captive breeding program at the Zakhyn Us Breeding Centre in Mongolia. This center aims to maintain a genetically pure reserve population as a safeguard against extinction and to eventually reintroduce young camels into the nearby protected wilderness. Beyond direct intervention, efforts are underway to mitigate the impacts of modern development, including implementing measures to maintain landscape permeability for the camels’ extensive migratory routes.