I would like a camel milk chocolate please

camel milk- even a new kind of camel milk chocolate could be on its way-
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camel milk: Surmounting a few production humps
Thursday, 20 April 2006,
Press Release: United Nations
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00337.htm

By surmounting a few production humps, camel milk could bring in billions – UN
Developing camel dairy products such as milk can not only provide more food to people in arid and semi-arid areas but also give nomadic herders a rich source of income, with a $10 billion world market entirely within the realm of possibility, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

“The potential is massive. Milk is money,” FAO’s Dairy and Meat expert Anthony Bennett said in a review of camel milk potential, noting that the agency is hoping donors and investors will come forward to develop the sector not only at the local level but helping it move into lucrative markets in the Middle East and the West.

“No one’s suggesting intensive camel dairy farming, but just with improved feed, husbandry and veterinary care daily yields could rise to 20 litres,” he added, noting that at present production is a low-tech business with a meagre five litres a day considered a decent yield.

Since fresh camel milk fetches roughly $1 a litre on African markets, that would mean serious money for nomad herders who now have few other sources of revenue.

From the Western Sahara to Mongolia demand is booming for camel milk, but there just isn’t enough to go round. State-of-the art camel rearing is rudimentary, and much of the 5.4 million tonnes of milk currently produced every year by the world population of some 20 million camels is guzzled by young camels themselves.

To devotees, camel milk is pure nectar. While slightly saltier than cows’ milk, it is three times as rich in Vitamin C as its bovine equivalent. But tapping the market involves surmounting a series of humps in production, manufacturing and marketing.

One problem lies in the milk itself, which has so far not proved to be compatible with the UHT (Ultra High Temperature) treatment needed to make it long-lasting. But the main challenge stems from the fact that the producers involved are, overwhelmingly, nomads, a situation similar to a tomato cannery depending on suppliers who regularly disappear, taking their tomatoes with them.


Another problem is that nomad camel herders are often reluctant to sell their spare milk, which tradition reserves for honoured guests and the poor. It has been noted, however, that such reluctance can be dispelled by the offer of a good price.

Jumping on the camel train, Vienna-based chocolatier Johann Georg Hochleitner intends to launch this autumn a low-fat, camel milk chocolate with funding from the Abu Dhabi royal family, making it in Austria from powdered milk produced at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, then shipping 50 tons back to the Gulf each month.

“It sounds crazy but it’s a huge project. There’s a potential market of 200 million in the Arab world,” Mr. Hochleitner says.

Baby bactrian camel born in Wales

Colwyn Bay Welsh Mountain Zoo is the home to new baby camel "Scrummy" , the first bactrian camel born in Wales
http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=16905899&method=full&siteid=50142&headline=scrummy-s-a-real-mummy-s-girl-name_page.html#story_continue

Scrummy's a real mummy's girl Apr 5 2006

By David Powell, Daily Post

BABY camel Scrummy makes her first public appearance at Colwyn Bay Welsh Mountain Zoo yesterday.

Scrummy became the first Bactrian camel to be born in Wales when proud mum Flanka gave birth on February 16.

Bactrian camels are highly endangered with only 1,000 remaining in the wild, and the zoo is part of a carefully controlled international captive species breeding programme.

Mum Flanka and dad Lock - named in the aftermath of the Rugby World Cup - are enjoying the company of their lively new offspring who, while cute and cuddly now, will grow to be


North Wales




Scrummy's a real mummy's girl Apr 5 2006




By David Powell, Daily Post






BABY camel Scrummy makes her first public appearance at Colwyn Bay Welsh Mountain Zoo yesterday.

Scrummy became the first Bactrian camel to be born in Wales when proud mum Flanka gave birth on February 16.

Bactrian camels are highly endangered with only 1,000 remaining in the wild, and the zoo is part of a carefully controlled international captive species breeding programme.

Mum Flanka and dad Lock - named in the aftermath of the Rugby World Cup - are enjoying the company of their lively new offspring who, while cute and cuddly now, will grow to be 2.4m (seven feet) tall and will weigh three quarters of a tonne.


Zoo director Nick Jackson said: "It is wonderful that we now have a genuine Welsh baby for our visitors to admire.


"Camels are big, beautiful and delightfully smelly creatures. They grab respect and admiration from children and adults."


Bactrian camels are the two-humped variety and are found in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and in the Gashun Gobi in China.


They featured in the BBC's Planet Earth documentary on Sunday, when viewers watched a dramatic chase across a desert to film the timid creatures.


They are recognised by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) as highly endangered.

for info on saving wild bactrian camels visit: www.wildcamels.com