Once-traditional camel trading fair in India transformed into tourist attraction
#camels
https://candorium.com/news/20241115023735352/ap-photos-once-traditional-camel-trading-fair-in-india-transformed-into-tourist-attraction

For a documentary production class I'm taking this semester, I’ve chosen Topsy, a Bactrian camel who has lived quite an extraordinary life, as the subject of my short. I hope that by exploring Topsy’s life, I can paint a portrait of her as a distinct individual–a privilege rarely awarded to animals–while using her story to highlight the conditions animal laborers have had to endure throughout time.

I'm looking to interview people who have worked with or have been involved with camels to learn more about the labor practices that surround these animals. If interested, feel free to reach out to me at kuders@usc.edu !

Here's a little bit of information about Topsy: 

Born at some point prior to 1856, Topsy was brought from Turkey to Texas aboard the USS Supply, where she served in Jefferson Davis’ experimental Camel Corps. After the Corps were disbanded, Topsy served a number of odd jobs–including helping construct Route 66 and hauling salt in Nevada–before ultimately finding her way into the entertainment industry. During this time, Topsy worked for the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey–during which she was in a train crash which killed her mate and broke both of her humps–ultimately finding her way into W.N. Selig’s troupe, where she starred in a number of his films. After a long life, Topsy spent her waning years in the Old Los Angeles Zoo, where she would ultimately pass away.

Let's admit it, camels are the putrid evolutionary abomination of the dessert. They have that stomach thing, they spit, and they're such a**holes. I think I've found my spirit animal. Thoughts?

Is being held in Nevada Oct 25-27 this year

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RaaBYWodAWbb4wL8/?mibextid=A7sQZp

Used for fighting rivals and grabbing the back legs of potential mates to "convince" them to lay down to mate. Nature is metal.

🌍🐫 Happy World Camel Day! 🐫🌍

Today, we celebrate these incredible creatures that have been our companions for centuries. Camels are more than just "ships of the desert" – they play a vital role in many cultures and ecosystems around the world. Let's take a moment to appreciate their resilience, strength, and the unique contributions they make to our planet.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5NybzlogTM/?igsh=MWZmNWxjMHJqd2x3MQ==

Year of the Camel

https://ooe.orf.at/stories/3238009/

"On late Tuesday evening, a dog attacked four circus camels in Mauthausen (Perg district) and lightly injured their legs. An as-yet-unknown man had let the dog off the leash after the performance."

"The dog then subsequently entered the stable where the camels were housed in individual boxes. When the 23-year-old son of the circus director intervened, he was also lightly injured on the shin."

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The owner walked away and hasn't been found yet. The camel hair entanglement may have been the reason the dog began going after horses instead, or the reason it was unable to reach them. Up until I read this, I was unaware camels sometimes shed their hair and that it's used for clothing.

Side note, what do you think of camels in circuses? Is there merit in a conversation about how they are treated in the circus?

Hi! As the title states, I would like to help with the conservation of Bactrian Camels due to them being critically endangered. Have you ever donated before for this cause? So far I found that I can adopt one with WWF or I can donate to The Wild Camel Protection Foundation. Which do you think is best or do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!