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This species is listed as endangered by both the USFWS and the
IUCN. Its greatest threats stem from habitat degradation and human
exploitation. There are approximately 350 wild Bactrian camels
in the Mongolian Great Gobi Reserve A south of Bayan Toroi and
approximately 650 additional camels further south in Xinjiang
province, China, living in three isolated and separated pockets.
The wild Bactrian camel is an amazing creature that survives in
some of the world 's harshest environments and in some areas in
the absence of fresh water, has adapted to drinking saltwater
slush. In the Mongolian Gobi its main enemy is the wolf, but further
south in China it is threatened by hunters and illegal miners.
In the Chinese Gashun Gobi there is no fresh water and this former
nuclear test site holds herds of wild camels that have not only
adapted to drinking saltwater, but have also survived over 43
atmospheric nuclear tests.
The Minnesota Zoo has had great success with breeding this species
in captivity.
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