Abandoned camel finds new home at Murchison sanctuary - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

MURCHISON/HENDERSON COUNTY (KYTX) - A young camel abandoned recently by his Fort Worth-area owner has found refuge in East Texas today.

The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison welcomed Saudi, a five-year-old camel, to its sanctuary this afternoon. Saudi was rescued by the Humane Society of North Texas, which received the one-humped animal last month from a Tarrant County owner of exotic animals, according to Cleveland Amory director Ben Callison.

"(Saudi) was obtained by a Tarrant County man when he was about two months old from a veterinarian," Callison said. "He could no longer provide adequate care for Saudi, so he took him to the Humane Society of North Texas there in Fort Worth."

The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch was already searching for a rescue camel to pair with Omar, a nine-year-old camel at the sanctuary. Cleveland Amory at one point had three camels - Shiek, Cairo and Omar - but Shiek and Cairo have passed away, Callison said.

Sanctuary employees evaluated Saudi and determined he was "very friendly" and would be a good addition to their facility. The Humane Society castrated Saudi and transported him to East Texas following his recovery, Callison said.

While Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch does not offer regular visitation to the public, it does provide open house events. "Our mission is to provide permanent sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals and therefore we are not open to the public daily," the director said.

Callison hopes that Saudi will be introduced as part of the sanctuary's next open house, scheduled for Oct. 13 and Oct. 20. For now, Saudi is in quarantine, though Callison said he and Omar and peering at each other from beyond pasture fencing. It is believed to be the first time that Saudi has ever seen another camel.

For more information, visit http://www.blackbeautyranch.org/media_room/.