CAMEL IN WELL 36 CSR

Submitted: Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 08:46

ThreadID: 89353 Views:3557 Replies:6 FollowUps:7

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Canning Stock Route

The Canning Stock Route is a long-distance remote stretch of track through the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. No longer in use as a stock route this is now a vehicular track allowing access to the

Canning Stock Route

Section: Treks

The Canning Stock Route is a long-distance remote stretch of track through the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. No longer in use as a stock route this is now a vehicular track allowing travel along

Member - MIKE.G

Image Could Not Be FoundWe saw plenty of camels on our recent trip down the CSR. One unfortunate creature fell into Well 36 and perished. Graham from Kunawarritji Community heard about this and made up a tripod and headed up the track 90 klm to do the retrieval. To prevent any danger to people who may want to use the water, he then pumped the well dry to get rid of any contamination. The well started filling from the ground water immediately. Good on you Graham.

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Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 09:16

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 09:16

I'll second that 'Good on you Graham'.

Living is a journey,it depends on where you go !
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Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 10:11

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 10:11

Great work....I could imagine that being a rather unplesant task...depending on how long the camel has been there

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Reply By: Member - David T (SA) - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 12:30

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 12:30

From my recent experiences I'd also like to give Graham and Joy at Kunawarritji a big thankyou. They work dawn til dusk for the community and Kunawarritji is now a great place for a stop-over.
Dave and Erica Tomkins

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Reply By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 12:54

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 12:54

Mike Hi,
There was a camel hanging around well 36 when I was there 23/7/11 it had a badly damaged eye & was very disorientated, was not at all trying to "avoid" my presence. A bit strange like as if It was looking for help. Heard later about Grahame and his crew retrieving it from the well. I would be fairly sure it is the same one.
Were You in the Tag along group that assisted as well?
Great to see the communities doing the right thing.
Tried to include a couple of photos but couldn't get it to work.

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Follow Up By: Member - MIKE.G - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 16:53

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 16:53

Hi Michael, no we were not in the group that retrieved the animal and would have been there about the same time you were.
As Tony H posted, it would have been a smelly and unpleasant job.

I contacted Graham last week on another matter and he sent this and another photo to me, the second a bit too gruesome to post and by looking at that photo, the camel had a damaged left eye, so it probably was the same one.

Cheers,
Mike

FollowupID: 740771

Follow Up By: Members - Bow & Nan - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 20:37

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 20:37

This camel was hanging around well 36 when I was there.

Image Could Not Be Found

FollowupID: 740813

Reply By: member - mazcan - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 12:59

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 12:59

hi
a very thoughtfull thing for graham to have done
this camel falling down the well is most likely the result of some one leaving the cover off after getting water or just having a look down the well

uncover look and/or use then recover
thats the best insurance that this wont happen again
cheers

AnswerID: 466654

Follow Up By: B1B2 - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:06

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:06

G'day Mazcan,
I wonder if a camel could nudge the lid open with it's nose. If it was thirsty enough I think it might. People try to keep the lids closed tight, as even a small gap lets birds in, and contaminates the water.

Cheers,
Bill

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Follow Up By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:23

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:23

Mazcan/Bill, Hi
There is no proper covers on well 36, there was a few sheets of rusty old galvanised iron partially covering the opening. A animal much smaller than a camel would of easily fallen through.
The well could do with a 4WD club or similar doing a restoration.
Regards Mike.

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Follow Up By: B1B2 - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:28

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:28

G'day Michael,
I couldn't remember if Well 36 had a lid, or had water. Must have forgotten to take a pikkie. The camel would easily shift the tin.

Cheers,
Bill

FollowupID: 740793

Follow Up By: Member - MIKE.G - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:51

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 18:51

Image Could Not Be FoundBill and Michael, photo taken at Well 36 on 19 July 2011

FollowupID: 740796

Follow Up By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 22:37

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 22:37

on one community we worked on they used to come in at night and use there teeth to turn on the taps for a drink, and leave them on i may add.........
They can and will move very heavy stuff to get to water, they can smell it from a long way ..
Cheers
Joe

FollowupID: 740827