Associate Professor Padalino of Southern Cross University highlights that camels, often seen as wild animals, exhibit individual temperaments similar to other livestock like horses or cows, affecting their behavior during transport. By using positive reinforcement training, handlers can safely manage these large animals—some weighing up to 700 kilos—during critical transport stages, reducing stress and improving compliance. This technique, previously applied to horses and donkeys, could also benefit other large livestock such as beef cattle.

Australia hosts the world’s largest feral camel population, with about one million animals, and while its camel industry is small, thousands are farmed annually for meat, dairy, and live export, preferred over aerial culling. Padalino’s research aims to enhance animal welfare globally, with plans for training workshops in the Middle East. Improved handling through positive reinforcement not only benefits animal and handler welfare but may also enhance meat quality post-slaughter.