Yes, this is for real. A friend of mine who has horses bought a baby camel from a petting zoo at our county fair this past August 21st, partly because he felt sorry for all the rough handling it was getting. Its just 8 weeks old. He was told by the carnival people to give it a quart of evaporated milk mixed 1:1 with water 3xs a day. Now the carnie people are long gone. Its starting to nibble on hay. We haven't been able to find much else about raising them. He's inside in a box stall by himself now and is about the size of a yearling llama. Any sources we can look at, etc. would be greatly appreciated. We are in upstate N.Y. and its going to be cold real soon! Thanks. Kate

-- Kate Henderson (sheeplady@catskill.net), September 22, 2000

Answers

I'm sorry Kate, I don't have any advice other than to call a zoo. I would reccommend the San Diego or the Milwaukee County Zoo (Wisconsin) as they both have excellent veterinarian programs.Best of luck and prayers won't hurt at all either!

-- Doreen (liberty546@hotmail.com), September 22, 2000.

Kate, here's the url to a couple of folks who raise camels. Call/fax/e-mail and I bet they'd be more than happy to help you out. The zoo may be helpful to you, but I believe calling these folks would serve you better since they raise these critters in the same type of environment you do.

http://www.cameldairy.com/ Read the links across the top of the page, 'specially the 'camel husbandry.'

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http://www.doccee.com/camelkountry/animals.html Phone number/e-mail at bottom of page.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 22, 2000.

I would suggest a barm with a small well insulated draft free stall .On cold nights maybe even a heat lamp .Nice thick beddding .And get a hold of a zoo fast .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), September 22, 2000.

For those of you who are interested in exotic animals like this or have the responsibility for them (Someone else on this forum was also talking about Kangaroos and wallabies), there is a magazine which caters to this interest and has lots of good information. It is called Rare Breeds Journal, exotic animals, minor breeds and their owners. Their address is POB 66, Crawford, NE 69339, 308-665-1431, Fax 308- 665-1931. I don't think they have a website, but here is a list of publications for those interested in unusual type animals: http:// animalsexoticandsmall.com/links-1/directory3.html

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), September 22, 2000.

Kate, Here is the phone number to a man in Washington state who raises Bactrian Camels as a profession. He has an extensive background on camels and is easy to get ahold of. His name is Bob Baker 509-448- 0353. He advertises in a llama publication, I have contacted him in the past and he is a very informative man. Is your neighbor looking to keep this camel or sell it?

-- Emily (bellyacresfarm@kyk.net), September 22, 2000.

This is just in answer to Patty's concern about keeping the baby warm -- the areas camels are native to get quite cold at night, even though they may have hot days. And some camel areas have very cold winters. So I wouldn't be too concerned about the heat, as the little critter should be able to grow a good winter coat. Other than that, I know nothing about camels!! Good luck!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), September 22, 2000.

I'm sitting here laughing and crying. This place never ceases to amaze me. I am really impressed with the answers on this one. Amazing what we can do to help each other, isn't it? And I hope your friends can keep that little critter going, Kate. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), September 22, 2000.

Kate,

The Catskill Game Farm in the Catskill, NY area might be of help.

-- bluetick (coonhound@mindspring.com), September 22, 2000.

It looks like you've gotten lots of good leads. But if you have trouble getting the information right away, keep in mind that llamas are in the same family (camellids -- llamas and alpacas and vicunas are "New World" camels). In a pinch, IF YOU CAN'T GET ANY OTHER INFORMATION, feed it the same as a llama. You probably can find info on llama feeding much easier than camel feeding.

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), September 23, 2000.

Please tell your friend to be careful what they wish for as they just might get it. My understanding is adult camels are not very nice critters even if hand-raised.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 24, 2000.

Just don't let his nose in the tent! GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), September 25, 2000.

Kate, You might want to check out the web. There is a camelid webring http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=camelid&list This have a heavy influence from llamas and alpacas, but there are some exoitic zoo folks that frequent the mailing list and I am sure they can help. You mightalso check out http://www.allcamels.com/webrings.html allcamels has a referance database. A quick looks shows they have more than just llama/alphca info.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), September 28, 2000.

Well how is it doing ?

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), September 28, 2000.

Hi Kate, from Ravens Roost Farm in Alaska. Good luck with the little camel, how fortunate for it that you took it in. I also know nothing about camels but I would get a small, pygmy or such, goat, and put it in with it. See if that dosen't get it eating and sleeping better, there is just something about an animal alone that dosen't always do so well. Good Luck, Maureen

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), September 28, 2000.

Hi Kate~ I have *NO* help to offer~ sorry! But please tell your friend to take lots of pictures and notes,I think a childrens book about the experience and following the growth of a camel would be fabulous!!!

-- Tammy S. (AK) (heritage@mtaonline.net), September 28, 2000.

kate you need to give it a lot of love and care. it also needs plenty of food and water.

-- jessica melane brundage (jmelaneb@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

Kate, You need to give it a lot of love and care. It also needs plenty of food, shelter, and water.

-- Jeremy Miller (jmelaneb@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

WELL ????? How is it doing now???? We would Love to know.

-- Sue in PA (suelpn30@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.