Got the hump? Camels come to Bournemouth beach - with video (From Bournemouth Echo)
When news happens text pix and video to 80360. Start your message with BE then leave a space.
Don't miss our new Youth Sport supplement every Thursday inside your Echo 
Daily Echo on FacebookAll of today's content from across the site, all in one place at bournemouthecho.co.uk/today
Got the hump? Camels come to Bournemouth beach - with video
8:30am Thursday 23rd July 2009 in
IF there’s one thing about a trip to the seaside that’s sure to give you the hump, it’s this.
Two camels will be figuring in many people’s holiday snaps from Bournemouth this summer.
The mother and son camels, nine-year-old Veneta and four-year-old Gobi, drew crowds both of locals and tourists when they appeared on the beach yesterday, and unsurprisingly the children took a particular shine to them.
Wearing brightly coloured rugs, the European-bred Bactrian camels created plenty of opportunities for unusual photographs.
There was also the chance for people to have a ride with the assistance of two camel handlers. It is believed this is the first time camels have come to a UK beach, and it was the idea of Rod Cooper, councillor for Wallisdown and Winton, to make Bournemouth the first.
He said: “Many beaches offer donkey rides so we are looking to investigate whether we can do the same but with camels and turn this into something more regular.
“We are hoping to get some palm trees along the beach as well and really push Bournemouth ahead.”
The camels, from The Animal Company in Ashbourne, will be at the Bournemouth beach again today near Bournemouth pier from noon to 5pm.
One tourist from Berkshire said: “This wasn’t something I expected to see – it’s a bit bizarre. But it definitely brings something a bit exotic to Bournemouth.”
Another, from Cheshire, added: “The camels seem to be getting a lot of attention – the kids are flocking around them.”
Alisa Gibbs, a mother from Southbourne, said her child was desperate for a ride.
She said: “We have been waiting here for an hour to see them. My daughter saw the van and just refused to go home before seeing them.”
Comments(19)
tangogran
says...
8:40am Thu 23 Jul 09
bobbins
says...
8:48am Thu 23 Jul 09
tangogran wrote:I think the animal rights protestors weren't very popular and people were refusing rides on them due to health and hygiene concerns
I always thought that the reason we no longer have donkeys was something to do with health and hygiene rules. If we can have camels, bring back the donkeys. Unfortunately I can also remember some problem with animal rights protesters.
nobull
says...
9:06am Thu 23 Jul 09
unsubscribe
says...
10:10am Thu 23 Jul 09
AKKA
says...
11:20am Thu 23 Jul 09
Laurie H Marsh
says...
11:40am Thu 23 Jul 09
KLH
says...
12:34pm Thu 23 Jul 09
AKKA wrote:Use the kids buckets to take it home for your rosebeds.....
Can't wait to see the pooper scoopers!
Camel sthi - like horses and rhinos - doesn't have the nasties in it that dog turds have. More concerned about the fat idiots that ride the camels than what comes out of their backsides.
KLH
says...
12:36pm Thu 23 Jul 09
dan ecan
says...
1:17pm Thu 23 Jul 09
pipistrollers
says...
2:12pm Thu 23 Jul 09
Cllr Rod Cooper came to a residents meeting at Slades Farm a few months ago bleeting about wanting a farm on the open green space here at Slades Farm. He gave a presentation including pictures of farm animals. After each animal, he told us what the animal was - this is a goat, this is a chicken. The whole place was in uproar laughing at him. He wanted llamas in this farm and wanted donkey rides up and down the green space at Slades Farm until he was told that the insurance cost would be out of this world. Of course he wants local people to work on his farm voluntarily all year round!!
I would like to see the insurance for these camels and also does Rod Cooper not know that having donkeys/camels or whatever parading up and down with people on their backs is not animal friendly? Oops I forgot he doesn't care - it's all about money!
MisterE
says...
3:40pm Thu 23 Jul 09
British jobs for British donkeys!!
psal
says...
4:33pm Thu 23 Jul 09
dopey
says...
4:44pm Thu 23 Jul 09
Watching the video, I think they should be breathalised !
WIGGINSv
says...
5:37pm Thu 23 Jul 09
KLH
says...
7:22pm Thu 23 Jul 09
Deke60
says...
9:21pm Thu 23 Jul 09
lovetheuk
says...
9:24pm Thu 23 Jul 09
anderton
says...
3:29pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Deke60 wrote:Did you notice the very personal dig at a councillor,definetly not needed
You miserable lot! I think praise should be given for thinking of new ways to promote Bournemouth, however quirky it may seem. Tourism has often been criticised for being a bit slow on the marketing, but this time they have got the bit in their mouth well and truly (sorry couldn't resist a camel gag)
More News stories
- Harry favourite as Capello quits
- Woman fights for life after being hit by train at Wool
- Redknapp speaks after being cleared of tax evasion
- Bournemouth hotelier's anger at 'brothel' review on TripAdvisor website
- Get up close and personal with creatures at the Oceanarium
- Mudeford boy up for buddy award from Haemophilia Society
- Sell off your clothes to help Christchurch charity
- Castlepoint’s traffic: Queues driven away
- Castlepoint’s traffic: What drivers think
- Old Littledown Neighbourhood Watch to make film on bogus callers
Got the hump? Camels come to Bournemouth beach
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Lord Spring says...
8:36am Thu 23 Jul 09