RAC student brings camels to England (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

RAC student brings camels to England

WHEN most people think of camel trekking Egyptian pyramids and Syrian deserts spring to mind.

But a Cirencester student has successfully reared a flock of the animals and is currently busy training them for trekking - in England.

Stuart Oates, who attends the Royal Agricultural College, is the proud owner of eight camels and is an official 'cameleer'.

He has completed a training course in California and hopes to have his animals in tiptop shape by the end of the summer.

The 20-year-old, who lives in Cornwall, said: "We live right next to Goonhilly Downs, which is a heath land area and my dad just came out with it one day - how about camels?

"I went on the internet and researched the subject and found that there were some for sale in Bulgaria."

Stuart soon went on a family trip to Europe to pick out seven Bactrian camels, which arrived on New Year's Eve.

Since then two of the camels have given birth, although one of them sadly died shortly after giving birth, taking the total to eight.

Stuart said: "The training is progressing steadily - it's a question of finding the time to do it all, but the whole thing has been an absolute experience.

"It is quite strange at the moment because so many people keep ringing up and asking about what we are doing - it is not something you come across everyday."

Stuart and his family are currently transforming Rosuick Farm into a jewel of the South West, with a visitor centre, organic farm shop and holiday homes.

Aside from camels the farm has a variety of less exotic animals for visitors to enjoy, but Stuart knows the trekking will be its biggest pulling power.

His insurance is in order and he says he is greatly looking forward to visitors flocking to the family-run farm.

He said: "Nowhere else in the country does camel trekking - there are only zoos and some places where they do walking.

"The treks are definitely the pulling factor but there is everything else that goes with a visit as well which makes it worthwhile."

o Potential visitors can enjoy a taste of Rosuick Farm if they tune into Blue Peter tomorrow afternoon (Friday, July 22). Visit www.cornishcamels.co.uk