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San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library
Camels (extant/living species; Camelus spp.)
Managed Care
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Camels (extant/living species; Camelus spp.): Managed Care
Camels (
Camelus
spp.)
Summary
Taxonomy & History
Distribution & Habitat
Physical Characteristics
Behavior & Ecology
Diet & Feeding
Reproduction & Development
Managed Care
Population & Conservation Status
Bibliography
From Wild to Domesticated
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.
Page Citations
Gauthier-Pilters & Dagg (1981)
Wild Camel Protection Foundation
SDZWA Library Links
Fact Sheet Index
Fact sheet index, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library
Library Home
Home page, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library
Contact Us
Email the librarians at library@sdzwa.org
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Population & Conservation Status >>