Moorpark Welcomes New Kid on Campus

Sadie the 8-year-old dromedary is now a proud mother.

The camel’s offspring, a healthy female, doesn’t yet have a name and her ears are plastered to her head “like an alien,” said Gary Wilson, director of Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management program.

Called “America’s Teaching Zoo,” it’s the only program of its kind on the West Coast. The only other student-run zoo in the country is at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla., Wilson said.

The baby is a first in Moorpark--but probably not the last, Wilson said. Sadie arrived last month with LuLu, a 12-year-old dromedary who also is pregnant. Both came from Gentle Jungle, an animal farm in Frazier Park.

The birth Tuesday went well, with Sadie sitting down most of the time. Usually camels stand during delivery, he said.

“It’s the first birth of a camel I’ve seen,” said Wilson, who added that officials haven’t weighed the little tyke yet because she’s been staying close to Mom.

“Mom weighs 800 pounds. We’ll wait,” he said.

The baby is about 80 pounds and stands roughly 4 feet tall at its hump. “She’s all legs,” Wilson said.

Sadie gave birth after two hours of labor, which was fascinating for Moorpark College student Tiffany Vertican, one of 83 in the zoo program.

“It was pretty neat,” she said. “I’m glad I got to see it.”

Wilson said there are rumors of a baby-naming contest for the infant camel, but nothing has been decided.

Moorpark College is sponsoring a “Spring Spectacular” celebration March 14, 15, 21 and 22, and Wilson said the new baby will be on display--if Mom agrees.

There is one other camel at the zoo, 3-year-old Gobi, a Bactrian. With the new baby and another on the way, he’ll have some playmates, officials said.