Minnesota Zoo Media Contact

If you need additional information or wish to request an interview with any Minnesota Zoo staff member, please contact:

Kelly Lessard
Public Relations
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9217 direct
952.431.9300 fax
kelly.lessard@state.mn.us

 

 

Press Releases

Happy St. Patrick's Day - It's a Boy! Newborn Camel Calf on Exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo

Apple Valley, MINN – March 17, 2010 – Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day (and the upcoming Farm Babies event), a male Bactrian camel calf is now on exhibit on the Northern Trail at the Minnesota Zoo!

Born March 4 weighing a whopping 128 pounds, the calf – who hasn’t been named yet – has been kept off-exhibit with his mother to ensure that he was healthy and gaining weight. Camels usually gain approximately two pounds per day, and will reach adult size (1600–1800 pounds and eight feet tall) in 3-4 years. 

Gestation periods for Bactrian camels are just over one year. This is the fourth calf for mom “Sybil” and the sixteenth for dad “Turk.” The calf will nurse for a full year, will be independent at age four, and fully mature at age five.

A few Bactrian camels remain in the wild in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, but most have been domesticated. Geologically, camels evolved in North America and migrated to Asia two million years ago across the Bering land bridge. In the wild, they are quite shy. They usually congregate in small herds of up to six individuals (one male). They can withstand extreme temperatures and reportedly are good swimmers. They can drink as much as 15 gallons of water at one time and have excellent stamina. In the wild, they will eat practically any vegetation that grows in their arid environment. In captivity, grass hay, mixed grain and vitamin-mineral supplements are provided (about 13-17.5 pounds daily). Life expectancy for Bactrian camels in captivity can be up to 20 years.

The Minnesota Zoo’s Farm Babies exhibit, held at the Wells Fargo Family Farm, begins April 1.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).