This is part of a series. Previously we’ve covered koalas and grizzly and black bears.

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In Australia’s outback, camels were so thirsty - they have invaded a town seeking water.

Record-breaking drought drove the thirsty creatures to trample fences, smash water tanks, and terrorize locals, the AP reports

Some camels even tried to force their way into people’s homes to drink water from air conditioning units and taps.

"This is a very critical situation out there, it's very unusual and it needs urgent action. We don't have the luxury of time because the herd is getting bigger,” said Rob Knight, the local government minister.

It is not uncommon to see some camels in the remote community, but a continuing drought and an early heat wave have dried up other water sources and forced great numbers of them into town. Much of Australia is gripped by some of the worst drought conditions on record.

In August, the federal government announced plans to cut the wild camel population, including a possible mass slaughter.

Over the next week, helicopters will be used to drive them about nine miles into the desert before marksmen cull them from the air.

Camels are not native to Australia. They were first brought to Australia to help explorers travel through the desert, and now an estimated 1 million roam wild across the country.

Read the full story here.