Bronx, NY – June 22, 2012 – A male dromedary camel calf at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo stays close to its mother in Wild Asia.

This calf is the first camel born at the Bronx Zoo since 1982. It weighed approximately 80 pounds at birth on March 16, and could grow to be over 1,500 pounds as an adult.

Dromedary camels are native to Northern Africa and Arabic regions of Asia. They have one hump which easily distinguishes them from their two-humped cousin, the bactrian camel.

The Bronx Zoo has 12 dromedary camels and one bactrian camel. Although most camels are tan or brown, they can range from white to black. The new calf is the only white camel in the zoo’s herd. Visitors to WCS’s Bronx Zoo can ride one of the adult camels at Asia Plaza.

The calf is now on exhibit at Wild Asia.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends. Adult admission is $16, children (3-12 years old) $12, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14. Parking is $13 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a Web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to www.wcs.org.