Double the hump for Marwell with new arrivals

A zoo has welcomed its first camels in eight years.

Standing at more than 7ft (2m) and weighing up to 1,800lb (816kg), domestic Bactrian camels Gary and Lemmy are hard to miss at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire.

Unlike their Arabian relatives, they have two humps rather than one and are already proving to be big characters.

"It's very exciting to have camels back at Marwell again – the first time since 2018," said senior animal keeper Darren Ives. "They've already brought a lot of character with them."

While wild Bactrian camels are on the critically endangered list, the keeper said the zoo could "still learn a great deal and contribute to research while caring for domestic Bactrian camels".

"It's fantastic for visitors to be able to connect with them up close," said Ives.

As well as being "incredibly inquisitive and great fun to work with", he said the animals could also be "very stubborn, as we found out from Gary, who was quite happy in the transporter and didn't want to leave".

To celebrate their arrival, Marwell is offering free entry to the zoo from 25 April to 1 May for anyone named Gary or Lemmy.

While the pair settle in to their new home, the zoo, near Winchester, said sightings cannot be guaranteed but visitors can see them from the fenceline near the Okapi playground.

Meanwhile, the zoo's escaped capybara remains at large.

Nine-month-old Samba went missing on 17 March, prompting huge search efforts involving thermal drones and a specialist sniffer dog.

Zoo chief executive Laura Read said on Thursday: "We just want to bring her back and make sure she's safe and well looked after."