* Transportation in the American Southwest: The US Army, facing challenges with transportation in the arid Southwest, saw camels as a potential solution. Their ability to go long distances without water and carry heavy loads made them attractive for desert travel. This experiment, however, ultimately failed due to cultural resistance and the development of the railroad.
* Labor in the West: Some private individuals and companies also imported camels for use as pack animals and for hauling goods in the West. The camels' hardiness and resilience made them a valuable asset in tough conditions.
* Exotic Animals: There was also a curiosity about camels and a desire to showcase them as exotic animals. Some were brought to the United States for exhibition purposes.
However, the use of camels in the US did not last long.
* Cultural Resistance: There was significant resistance from people in the West who saw camels as strange and threatening. This prejudice made it difficult for camels to be accepted as working animals.
* Railroad Expansion: The rapid expansion of the railroad network across the American West made camels less relevant for transportation.
* Difficulties in Breeding: Camels were not well-suited to the American climate, and breeding programs were unsuccessful.
Today, very few wild camels remain in the United States, with most having died out or been domesticated. However, some descendants of those original camels can still be found in zoos and animal sanctuaries.