A cull has started today to kill 10,000 wild camels in South Australia.

The Aboriginal APY lands in the north west of the state is carrying out a mass cull of the animals, because of a lack of water in drought-stricken area.

The Aboriginal APY lands in the north west of the state is carrying out a mass cull of the animals, because of a lack of water in drought-stricken area. (Facebook)

It is backed by the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, who said animals are venturing into communities in search of water, and are also dying of thirst.

Wild horses and donkeys will be shot from helicopters. The APY Executive said in a statement the groups of camels are "putting pressure on remote Aboriginal communities" and "eating food supplies". "With the current ongoing dry conditions, the large camel congregations threatening the APY communities, and infrastructure, immediate camel control is needed," it said.

The Department for Environment and Water said previously local traditional land owners mustered and sold camels, but they now have too many to cope with.

"An estimated 10,000 camels are flocking to available water sources, including tanks, taps and any available water in communities," it said in a statement.

The APY Executive said in a statement the groups of camels are "putting pressure on remote Aboriginal communities" and "eating food supplies". (Facebook)

"This has resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, danger to families and communities, increased grazing pressure across the APY Lands and critical animal welfare issues as some camels die of thirst or trample each other to access water.

"In some cases dead animals have contaminated important water sources and cultural sites."