Meet Camel Calf, Baatar

Baatar was 99 pounds at birth and is “growing like a weed,” according to zookeepers. He is thriving with his mom and nursing well. He can often be seen laying with A.J. in the sand pit. Big sister Leilani is still a bit unsure of him and runs away when he decides to play a game of chase.

Baatar is acclimating nicely to his habitat and appears to have a more outgoing personality. He has been gaining confidence with the zookeepers, allowing them to briefly pick up his feet and accepting head scratches.

This is the fifth offspring for mom, A.J. and dad, Stan, and the fourth boy.

Fast Facts:

• Bactrian camels are native to desert and steppes in the Gobi desert of Mongolia and China.
• Their primary diet is shrubs, grass, leaves, thorns, and saltbush.
• Bactrian camels have long eyelashes in double rows and a third eyelid which acts like a windshield wiper to wash sand or dirt out of their eyes.