Nancy notified me last summer that Discovery Channel’s “Dirtiest Jobs” crew had just finished filming a segment at Oasis. At the time she didn’t know when it would air. I just found out that Discovery will air this segment October 27th on the Discovery Channel. It airs at 8pm Central Time. Check your local listings. I’m sure you will enjoy it every bit as much as I enjoyed my trip to Oasis Camel Dairy.
Sometimes you don’t have to go that far to see something unique and wonderful. Such was the case last summer as I visited friends in Ramona, California --- quite by accident I happened upon the Oasis Camel Dairy, located 8 miles East of Ramona in San Diego County. Operated by Gil Riegler and Nancy Kobert, who have worked with camels for more than 20 years, this is a marvelous place to visit for both adults and children. It is the only camel dairy in the United States.
A few weeks later, several friends and I met at the Dairy and sat captivated under the hot June sun as Nancy explained how she had an exotic bird show when she met Gil. Together they ventured into the world of camels. Gil and other assistants presented a parade of adult and baby camels while Nancy explained the process of milking a camel and the joys of birthing baby camels.
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These magnificent animals are far different from what we’ve heard over the years through the media. If you are thinking of owning a camel, they may live to be 50 years old, so this is not a commitment to make lightly. On the other hand, well-trained camels are affectionate, loving, and they have the most beautiful eyes you will ever see. I so enjoyed the look of expectation on the face of one of their babies as he scanned the crowd during the program. He was self-confident and all too happy to meet and greet everyone in the audience.
Gil plays straight man to Nancy and we enjoyed a number of laughs at his expense. Playing straight man to a camel has its hazards. Watching Gil “install” a camel bra he’d brought back from Israel was more fun than any reality show on TV. In the end I doubt the women in the audience were any longer intimidated by Victoria’s latest secret contraption!
Nancy told us that camels are sensitive intelligent and patient animals, but also offer many other gifts. One of these gifts is the rich milk that they produce. Camel’s milk is very nutritious and considered “ . . . a ’miracle’ milk replacer for foals and crias that are sick, injured or undergoing surgery.” At the time of our tour they were already consulting on and providing milk for several baby camels brought to them with health problems. They are now producing “animal food grade camel’s milk” for clients in need.
Camel’s Milk Soap is available through their website. At the time we were there, all their milk was being used to assist ailing fouls. Their website now indicates they have 6 different “flavors” of soap which is rich in Vitamin C and has traditionally been used by those with sensitive skin. Their soap is all natural and biodegradable.
Nancy and Gil also incorporate the camels into a therapeutic program for the physically challenged in conjunction with Josef Rivers at River’s Crest Dragon Slayers in Aptos, California.
This is a wonderful stop if you are in San Diego County. Much as I love the Wild Animal Park, Sea World and the Zoo, I learned more in an hour with Nancy and Gil than I’ve learned in years at the more commercial locations. Their website indicates they currently have 18 camels, including 5 calves. Their "babies" are 4 to 5 feet in height!
The price is right too with adults paying $10, Seniors $8 and children $7. Reservations are not required, but you DO need to verify the date of the tour since this program is only offered once a month and if they happen to be traveling overseas, the tour will not be held. Tours for groups and schools can also be arranged.
Parking is plentiful and accessible. Because camels can be sensitive around strange animals, your pets are not allowed on dairy grounds. If you are traveling in an RV with a pet or have a service dog, please call and discuss the matter with them in advance.
The website for the Oasis Camel Dairy is http://www.cameldairy.com/index.html. You might also want to check out Nancy’s blog which I found as interesting as the tour itself. http://www.cameldairy.blogspot.com/
The show ended with the entrance of Clyde, their gelded bull. What an incredible sight --- legs the size of telephone poles --- a true gentle giant --- he was on eye level with me when cushed. Much as the babies had, Clyde seemed to truly enjoy the attention lavished on him by the visitors. Our fascination with these marvelous creatures made it hard to leave. Most of us lingered on, looking through the items Nancy offered for sale from their last trip overseas. As I write this my slender string of miniature stuffed camels and the brightly colored pillow cover on the sofa remind me of a warm summer afternoon spent amidst camels and the wonderful couple who lovingly shared them with us.
