A key cause to the decline of the wild Bactrian camel is their being killed for their meat and their hide. They are also considered a competitor to domestic livestock for water and grazing, and are killed for this as well.

Wild Bactrian camels were once found through the deserts of southern Mongolia and northwest China, however their range has now been reduced to small populations in these areas.

Wild Bactrian camels are considered ‘critically’ endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Because of this, some areas have been set aside as reserves in an effort to protect and save this species.