Physiology Defies Known Limits of Mammalian SurvivalThe wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) lives across remote sectors of the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts in northwest China and southwest Mongolia. In contrast, the wild Bactrian camel filters it efficiently through a specialized renal system. Data from the Wild Camel Protection Foundation documented brutal poaching practices, including land mines placed near salt springs to kill animals for meat. As of early 2026, the global wild population is believed to be under 1,000, including fewer than 30 individuals in captivity. Wild camel DNA is now increasingly mixed with that of domesticated herds in surrounding regions.