Sydney’s Loneliest Camel

A camel in Sydney is looking for a friend after losing its mom:

SHE may be able to get by without water for long periods of time, but surviving without her mum has been much harder for Jessica the camel.

When her mother died last year Jessica, who lives in a paddock at the Sydney Skydiving Centre near Picton in New South Wales, laid beside her grave for several days.

She refused to eat and her condition deteriorated, eventually losing her teeth.

The centre’s concerned owner, Phil Onis, tried to find a home for the animal, but when he couldn’t staff decided it would be best to put her down. But as soon as Jessica saw the RSPCA rifle, she bolted.

“The RSPCA couldn’t get anywhere near it,” Mr Onis said.

“It suddenly became a lot better after that.”

While locals now feed her carrots, bread and apples on a daily basis, they are worried she is lonely and needs a companion.

“We have been told it’s best if she can be with other camels,” Mr Onis said.

Jessica and her mother were originally brought to Sydney from Alice Springs about 25 years ago by a previous owner of the centre.

Marina Wright, who also works at the centre, said she has “cried buckets” worrying about Jessica.

“She’s so special, she’s a real good girl,” she said.

“We all love her.”

Ms Wright said Jessica and her mum had always just been there and were well-known among locals.

“It was always the two of them.

“It would be nice if someone had an old donkey or something, just so she has company,” she said.  [The Daily Telegraph]