Updated at 3:35 p.m. on Feb. 1
A camel that had reportedly been training at the Oasis Camel Dairy for 14 months was killed Friday morning after the trailer it was being towed in uncoupled from the towing vehicle and veered into a hill, overturning, said Oasis Camel Dairy owner Nancy Riegler.
Riegler said she and her husband were bringing the 5-year-old dromedary (one humped) camel back to her home in Camp Verde, AZ when the 16-foot stock trailer, which is owned by the camel's owner, uncoupled from the Reigler's truck at Highway 78 and 3rd Street—just 6 miles into their journey.
"Fortunately, we were traveling very slowly," Riegler said in the comments of a Patch article. "But unfortunately, not only did the trailer’s hitch fail, but the trailer’s safety chains broke."
California Highway Patrol reported Friday morning around 8:10 a.m. of the overturned horse trailer containing a camel. Westbound lanes were blocked on Highway 78 and animal control was called in.
The camel, Riegler said, died.
"The trailer was traveling at such a slow speed, we fully expected to see the camel with just scrapes and bruises," Reigler said in a comment on Patch. "We have sent the camel’s body to San Bernardino Animal Health Services County Veterinarian for a necropsy."
Someone by the username Virginia Thespiritwhisperer left a comment on Patch hinting that Sahara, the camel, was pregnant.
"Neither she nor the baby survived," Virginia said in the comments. "I am devastated and heartbroken beyond words. This accident should NOT have happened!"
Riegler said that Sahara was introduced to a bull camel while at Oasis Camel, but a veterinary palpation indicated no pregnancy. San Bernardino Animal Health Services County Veterinarian will help determine if Sahara was pregnant, according to Riegler.
"This is such a tragedy. We spent many hours training and handling the camel and grew so very attached to her," Riegler said, noting in an email that she and husband Gil were still in shock. "She was an inquisitive, smart girl."
Oasis Camel Dairy is located about 10 miles east of Ramona on state Route 78, just past Pine Hill Egg Ranch and Intermountain Fire-Rescue Department.
Original Story
California Highway Patrol reported Friday morning a traffic collision at Highway 78 and 3rd Street, resulting in an overturned horse trailer containing a camel.
CHP said unit was at the scene at 8:10 a.m., kitty corner to Ramona Valley Grill.
A two-axle horse trailer had overturned and the westbound lanes were blocked.
According to CHP, the owner had notified animal control, but there is no official confirmation the camel has died.
A tow truck was called in at 8:10 a.m.
It is unknown at this time how many vehicles were involved in the collision and how it happened. It is also unknown if there were any injuries to those involved.
