Calgary camel receiving 'exceptional care' despite severe skin condition, zoo says
Some visitors to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo may be concerned about the condition of one of the facility's camels, but officials say the animal is being well taken care of.
Zoo officials say their male Bactrian camel named Ollie developed a skin condition several years ago and it's progressed to the point where some guests may believe it's an injury.
However, staff says that isn't the case.
"Our animal care, health and welfare team has been closely monitoring Ollie, supporting him with topical, oral and injectable medical treatments," Alison Archambault, the zoo's director of brand and engagement, told CTV News Wednesday.
Keepers are also taking measures to prevent magpies from impeding the healing process. That includes utilizing a number of different pest management measures.
"We have a robust pest management policy that supports us with a wide variety of tools," Archambault said.
Of course, it might seem like it would be easier for Ollie to be kept off display until his condition clears up, but staff says it's unclear how long that would be.
"We don't know how long the skin disease will persist," Archambault said.
"His human caregivers felt it was best for Ollie's well-being if he was kept on habitat during recovery near his habitat mate, Zsa-Zsa, and the human caregivers that love him."
She says all visitors who come to see Ollie should know that he is in good hands.
"We always appreciate visitor concern for the well-being of the animals we love and care for. Our community should rest-assured that Ollie is receiving exceptional care."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
2 teens charged in Halifax homicide: police
Two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to an alleged homicide near the Halifax Shopping Centre earlier this week.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
12-year-old hippo in Japan raised as a male discovered to be a female
When Gen-chan arrived at a zoo in Japan in 2017, no one questioned whether the then-five-year-old hippopotamus was a boy. Seven years later, zoo staff made a surprising discovery: Gen-chan, now 12, was female.
Here's why Harvey Weinstein's New York rape conviction was tossed and what happens next
Here's what you need to know about why movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was thrown out and what happens next.
Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole dies at 90: CBC
Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Cole died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC.
Humanist group threatening to sue Vancouver over council prayers
The B.C. Humanist Association has threatened legal action against the City of Vancouver for allowing prayers at council, following a similar warning issued earlier this month to a smaller community on Vancouver Island.
LHSC performs a Canadian first in robot-assisted direct lateral spine surgery
Spine surgery may never be the same for people with chronic back pain and other physical ailments.