There has been no greater loss in Doug Boss’ career as a zookeeper than that of Cleaver.
The 14-year-old Bactrian camel passed away May 5 of a degenerative heart condition.
“It is not an easy thing to talk about. Of all the animals I have lost this one bothers me the most,” said Bos. I always think about it. When I’m not occupied I always think about it. What could I have done differently? But there wasn’t anything that I could have done.”
The loss of Cleaver came just a few days after the opening of Discovery Wildlife Park’s ninth season. His death came as the zoo and its staff were still mourning last season’s loss of two 21-year-old female lions, Nauschka and Tawni, and 19-year-old tiger Lady. All three big cats succumbed to advancing age.
But while the cats’ death was expected Cleaver was in the prime of life. His death came as a shock.
“He seemed perfectly normal. He was bright-eyed but he wouldn’t stand up. He just died. His heart just quit,” said Bos, who did not sleep for three days before the camel died as he was with him day and night with vets trying to heal the ailing camel.
The loss of Cleaver is especially hard for not only Bos and his staff but for the entire Innisfail community and beyond. Cleaver was special.
“Everybody in town knew Cleaver. Everybody loved him. He did camel rides everywhere. He went to both Winnipeg and Calgary zoos to breed with the female camels. He was always very friendly and personable,” he added. “He would always come up to the fence wanting to be petted. He had a great disposition. A lot of male camels are often cranky. He wasn’t. You can’t replace him.”
Bos said Cleaver has been buried at a special place on the 90-acre park site. The site is not accessible to the public. He said a memorial plaque will be made to honour the camel’s memory, much like the one created for Ali Oop, the beloved grizzly bear who passed away in 2008. Bos said the zoo will eventually create a publicly accessible Memorial Park for all departed animals.
In the meantime, Bos has been on the phone trying to find out if any other camels are available. So far he has been unsuccessful. Until Cleaver can be replaced the park will be offering the public pony rides.
“It is not the same I know but we will continue to look for another camel,” said Bos, adding he may have to settle for a one-hump instead of the two-hump breed. “It is so difficult to import camels. The short-term is not looking good in getting another one. They are very expensive because there are not a lot around.”
Bos said the cost of a new camel could be anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000.
He added he is continuing his search to replace the recently departed trio of big cats. He said while he will accept a free lion or tiger, as is often the arrangement between zoos, the cost could be between $1,500 and $2,000.
