A huge mob of 1,000 feral camels have been spotted rampaging through a town in the Australian outback searching for water amid record-breaking temperatures. 

The rural town of Mount Liebig, roughly 200 miles west of Alice Springs, has been inundated with the herd of camels. 

The humped animals have been seen marching into the town at night, targeting anything with even a hint of moisture as central Australia faces scorching daytime heats. 

Even air conditioners are being damaged by the camels, as the mercury shows no sign of dropping any time soon. 

Joshua Burgoyne, the Northern Territory’s environment minister, said on Friday: ‘They’re coming into the community at night, when everyone’s asleep, drinking what water they can find, ripping taps off. 

‘And then, of a morning, council workers are having to go around, move these camels out, quite literally, herd them out of the community so that it’s safe for the residents to walk around.’

Parts of Australia are expecting to see record-breaking temperatures again this week. 

The Times reported that in Marble Bar, infamous for being the country’s hottest town, the official temperature reached 50C. 

The rural town of Mount Liebig, roughly 200 miles west of Alice Springs, has been inundated with the herd of camels

Parts of Australia are expecting to see record-breaking temperatures again this week

But locals claim the actual temperatures were far higher. Neil Munro, who owns a caravan park in Marble Bar, said: ‘The temperature gauge that I just bought, with the barometer and everything, I was very disappointed with it because it only goes up to 50C. 

‘It hit 50C yesterday, but the electronic one [gauge] got up above 53C.’

As a result, many are expecting camels to continue their rampage unless local authorities intervene. 

Camels were introduced to Australia in 1840 as a way to transport explorers further inland. 

There are an estimated 1million now roaming across the outback, covering parts of  Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. 

Though they can survive for weeks without drinking water, they can only do so if they can access moisture from plants.

Mr Burgoyne said: ‘A lot of homes have external taps, and I’ve seen pictures where the taps have been ripped off the walls and there’s essentially water all throughout the front yard. 

‘When they’re looking for water, they’re quite literally pushing over metal fences. It has been so dry for many months.’