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W. LARRIMORE ©2007
Sheik today at the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch. |
While his wild ancestors roamed the Arabian continent, Sheik, a young camel, was a display at a petting zoo in Idaho along with his friend, Cairo.
When they grew into juveniles, the owner of the zoo surrendered him and Cairo to the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas. There they found a third camel friend in Omar, already living at the ranch.
Camels and children are a dangerous mix. Camels, like Sheik, can weigh between 600 and 1,500 pounds as adults; their sheer size makes them dangerous even as newborns. Petting zoos are just no place for wildlife.
Introductions
Sheik and Cairo were placed in a separate enclosure next to Omar. They could see and touch each other over the fence, but the barrier prevented full body contact in case of aggression.
First introductions between animals are best handled with limited interaction, giving everyone time to adjust at their own pace. But as luck would have it, all three animals seemed to get along famously. Soon after his arrival, Sheik was able to keep company with Cairo and Omar in the larger enclosure. For the first time, Sheik and Cairo, too, had room to roam, and Omar had some camel friends.
A Well-Groomed Camel
Sheik has proved to be the friendliest of the three Dromedary (one hump) camels. He often walks to the fence when he sees a caretaker approaching on foot and rumbles a greeting.
In the spring, Sheik and the other camels shed mountains of thick hair. While Omar and Cairo don't allow brushing, Sheik loves to be scratched and brushed, especially on the neck. Caretakers make sure to give him the extra attention, while always keeping in mind that camels are curious and powerful animals, capable of knocking over people by simply turning their massive heads.
Three's Company...Forever
Today camels are used extensively as work animals, carrying heavy loads for long distances. They are also known for spitting when annoyed, though the staff at the ranch has never observed Sheik or his friends spit even a drop. With access to abundant food and water and no pressure to serve as beasts of burden in a hot barren desert, the ranch camels enjoy a comfortable life.
Spared from the confinement and intrusion of the petting zoo, it is a heartening sight to see Sheik lie down, stretch out for the night and close his eyes. Together with Cairo and Omar, the camels have formed a tight-knit community, protected and safe for the entirety of their lives.
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Posted November 7, 2007
