ROYAL OAK, MI – A beloved Bactrian camel at the Detroit Zoo has died after calling the Royal Oak-based zoo home for the last 16 years.
The zoo announced Thursday, April 8, that Rusty was compassionately euthanized last week. The male camel first arrived in 2009 from the Brookfield Zoo.
“Rusty formed a deep bond with his mate, Suren, and together, they raised four offspring,” the zoo posted on its Facebook page. “Though he was a bit shorter in stature than most camels, his thick, dark coat and strong, stocky build made him an unforgettable presence. His full winter coat was truly a sight to behold!”
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The zoo did not specify what prompted to Rusty’s euthanasia but shared a note of thanks to the veterinary and animal care teams who supported him through his later years.
“Rusty will be missed by all of us at the Detroit Zoo,” it wrote.
Unlike other species, Bactrian camels have two humps instead of one and live in rocky deserts in central and east Asia, according to National Geographic.
They’re typically over seven feet tall at the hump, weigh 1,800 pounds, can live up to 50 years in captivity and are considered critically endangered.