Camels (extant/living species; Camelus spp.): Managed Care

• A small population of introduced dromedaries and Bactrian camels survived in the Southwest United States until the 1900s.
  • Imported from Turkey.
  • Part of the US Camel Corps experiment, used as draft animals in mines.
  • Escaped or were released after the project was terminated.
• Camel milk is a staple food of desert nomad tribes - richer in fat and protein than cow milk.
  • Cannot be made into butter in the traditional churning method. – must be soured first, churned, and a clarifying agent added.
  • The milk can readily be made into yogurt.
  • Many healthful properties - used as a medicinal product in India.
  • Bedouin tribes believe it has curative powers.
• The Wild Camel Protection Foundation has established a managed care breeding program in Mongolia.
  • Only 15 wild Bactrian camels are currently in managed care in China and Mongolia.
  • Females can produce 1 young every two years.
  • Artificial insemination may be necessary with such small numbers.

Gauthier-Pilters & Dagg (1981)
Wild Camel Protection Foundation