Australia's Camel Problem 1
Australia is not the first location one thinks of when considering habitats for camels. However, Australia has the largest population of wild
camels in the world. Imported during the 19th century from Arabia, India, and Afghanistan, camels were sought to help with transportation,
construction, and shipping needs. Unfortunately, once automobiles and large trucks became widely used, people no longer needed camels.
They released the camels into the desert where the camels foraged to provide for their own needs.
In 2013, the wild camel population roaming the Australian outback was estimated at 750,000. Because camels have no natural predators.
they have the ability to double their numbers in only nine years. Such a fast-growing population puts more stress on natural environments.
Camels, like all organisms, must meet basic needs for survival, so they seek food, shelter, and water. Because these environments did not
develop to support large mammals like camels, their continued presence in Australia produces devastating effects.
2
Which word is closest in meaning to devastating as it is used in paragraph 2?
O 1. damaging
2. depressing
3. disappointing
O 4. disgusting