Population Changes and Industrial Development of Bactrian Camel in China: A Review

The Bactrian camel is an ecologically friendly domestic animal native to the desert regions of Southern Eastern Europe, West Asia, Southern South Asia, Central Asia and Northern East Asia. It has played a vital role in both Chinese history and livestock production. Currently, the total population of Bactrian camels in China is relatively small compared to other livestock, but they are widely distributed and critically important to their ecological environment. This paper compiles and analyzes historical data on Chinese Bactrian camels over the past 30 years, along with relevant policies. It reveals that the population distribution of Chinese Bactrian camels follows a geographical pattern centered on the Alashan region of Inner Mongolia. A detailed analysis is conducted on the distribution and population changes of Bactrian camels in two core administrative regions of China, along with an explanation of the distribution of scattered small populations in areas such as Qinghai and Gansu provinces. The factors contributing to the changes in the distribution and population of Chinese Bactrian camels are thoroughly discussed. Among these factors, national livestock policy orientation, interactions among large livestock populations, regional human population and disposable income are all correlated with the number of Bactrian camels. The paper also compiles and analyzes some issues in the Chinese Bactrian camel industry and its development, offering reasonable prospects for the future. The data presented in this article is sourced from the China Statistical Yearbook and various local government statistical yearbooks.