Bactrian Camels

Why in news?

• The famed double-humped (Bactrian) camels of Ladakh are soon going to be inducted in the Indian Army to help troops patrol the India-China border in Eastern Ladakh.

About Bactrian camels:

• The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a large, even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of Central Asia.
•  It has two humps on its back, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary camel.
• Its population of two million exists mainly in the domesticated form
• Domesticated Bactrian camels have served as pack animals in inner Asia since ancient times.
• With its tolerance for cold, drought, and high altitudes, it enabled the travel of caravans on the Silk Road
• Bactrian camels, whether domesticated or feral, are a separate species from the wild Bactrian camel, which is the only truly wild species of camel in the world.
• Notably, wild Bactrian camels are a critically endangered species.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding “Bactrian Camels”:
1.They are critically endangered species as per IUCN red data book.
2.They are endemic to Ladakh and Tibetan regions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question