Bactrian camel calf born at Whipsnade Zoo
A long-legged camel calf with a special name has been born at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, boosting the herd’s total to eight.
The baby girl, who was born on 21 March to Bactrian camel mum Izzy and dad Oakley, has been named Sophia, a moniker with significant meaning for ZSL, the international conservation charity which runs Whipsnade Zoo, which will be celebrating its 200th birthday on Wednesday 29 April.
Sophia Raffles was the first woman to become a fellow of ZSL in 1826 – making ZSL the first society to admit women in the UK, and paving the way for all genders to learn about and form a connection with wildlife.
Whipsnade Zoo camel keeper Christina Risbridger said: ‘We’re delighted to have welcomed a Bactrian camel calf to our herd here at Whipsnade. Experienced-mum Izzy gave birth during the daytime, right out in the middle of their paddock, when visitors were driving past.’
The fluffy new addition joins her sister Sally, who was born in 2024, and 10-month-old half-brother Ivor. All eight of the conservation zoo’s domestic Bactrian camels are ambassadors for their critically endangered ‘cousins’, the wild camel (Camelus ferus), in Mongolia and China.
Christina continued: ‘Sophia is growing more confident every day, and, just like her namesake’s emphasis on access to education, she will be vital for teaching our visitors about the threats facing wild camels, and what people can do to help.’
There are as few as 950 wild camels left in the deserts of Mongolia and China, with hunting and water scarcity caused by human-activity largely to blame. Natural predation from the grey wolf is also putting pressure on the remaining population.
As part of its ambition to protect the world’s most threatened species, ZSL, the conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, is supporting conservation efforts in Mongolia, including the Gobi Desert in the south, where it’s believed there are only 450 wild camels.
Christina continued: ‘ZSL is closely involved in the wild camel project, working with conservation partners to contribute towards to scientific evidence which will inform a management plan for these critically endangered animals.’
Sophia can be found bounding about on her long legs in Whipsnade Zoo’s drive-through habitat, Passage through Asia, alongside yaks and Przewalski’s horses.
Visitors to the UK’s largest zoo this Easter can see the baby camel and 11,000 other animals across the 600-acre site, whilst helping to support the work of ZSL to protect and restore wildlife. Book tickets at Tickets | Whipsnade Zoo.
Image © ZSL