Unnamed Camel (Unknown-2025)
Obituary
An adult camel was euthanized after being seized from the West Coast Game Safari in Oregon alongside 300 other animals.
An adult camel was euthanized after being seized from the West Coast Game Safari in Oregon alongside 300 other animals. A kinkajou and a chicken were also euthanized. The wildlife park was raided on May 15, 2025, amid a criminal investigation regarding poor animal care and business practices.
The camel was euthanized after a veterinarian determined that both attempting to treat the animal or transporting them could be fatal. Horrific conditions have been documented at West Coast Game Safari, including rotting food, rats in food preparation areas, piles of animal bones and feces, and sick and starved animals. A lion was also held in an enclosure without light.
Camels are standard fixtures at zoos where they’re sometimes exploited for riding and in petting zoos. The species of the camel at West Coast Game Safari who died was not specified. But most camels in US zoos are dromedary camels. Dromedaries have one hump that can store up to 80 pounds of fat which can be used for energy when water and food is not available. This makes them perfect for desert climates where they can travel up to 100 miles without water. Dromedaries also have long eyelashes and eyebrows to protect their faces from the sand and tough lips that are well-suited to sharp vegetation.
World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves camels to avoid zoos and enjoy them at accredited sanctuaries.
