Toronto 
The camel habitat at the Toronto Zoo saw a quiet but significant arrival Thursday morning.
Credit: Toronto Zoo
Around 7:00 a.m. on April 30, a Bactrian camel calf was born in the zoo’s Eurasia Wilds habitat. The calf stood for the first time about two hours after birth, with assistance from its 11-year-old mother, Suria. Zoo staff report that the calf has been nursing several times and is in good condition. Its white-blonde colouring resembles that of its father, Zip.
This is the third calf for Suria and Zip, bringing the zoo’s Bactrian camel herd to seven. The calf and Suria are currently housed with another female, Jozy, in the Eurasia Wilds habitat. The first month is considered a critical period, and the pair may not always be visible to visitors as they continue to bond. Staff are monitoring both animals closely.
In the coming weeks, the calf will be gradually introduced to other members of the herd, including its nearly three-year-old sister, Carrie, as well as Tilly and Jamarcus. Zip, a 10-year-old male, remains separated in another section of the habitat.
Bactrian camels are known for their two humps, which store fat and help them endure extreme climates. While domesticated populations are stable, their wild relatives tell a different story. The wild camel, Camelus ferus, is critically endangered, with fewer than 950 individuals remaining in parts of Mongolia and China.
Credit: Toronto Zoo
Zoo officials say the birth highlights ongoing conservation efforts for the species. CEO Dolf DeJong called the birth “an incredible addition,” especially given the species’ conservation context.
Regardless of whether you can or cannot catch a glimpse of the baby camel, make plans to visit the zoo on Mother’s Day and celebrate mothers of all types.
