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Nativity camel wins fans photo by Bob Pennell Remington, a Bactrian camel, was a hit Wednesday night at the live Nativity scene at Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church. He struck up a friendship with the mule, and the kids liked him, his owner said. Bactrian (two-humped) camels are native to central Asia and are shorter, heavier and hairier than Arabian or dromedary camels. Camels represent divergent faiths By WENDY SIPOREN A s all good schoolchildren know, camels come in two basic shapes: the one-humped dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian. What most people don't know is that there's at least one of each living among us in the Rogue Valley. The two young camels, who have yet to meet, are playing important roles this holiday season representing two very different religious and cultural traditions. Remington, a 1-year-old Bactrian owned by Dottie Steinhoefel and Pam Lewis, made his second annual appearance Wednesday at a live Nativity scene put on by Medford's Seventh-day Adventist Church. Mandub is a 3-year-old dromedary owned by Alharamain, an Islamic educational group in Ashland. He makes regular appearances at the group's "Arabian Nights" cultural exchanges. The events are aimed at promoting peace through understanding, said group member Dawood Rodgers. Mandub, which means "ambassador," was purchased as a unique and fun way to break down barriers between cultures, he explained. "He's there to entertain and inform of the Muslims and their way of life, teachings and stories," said Rodgers, a horse trainer by profession. "Mandub's definitely a big hit," he said. Steinhoefel says Remington was also a big hit at her church's live Nativity scene -- complete with mule, donkey, wise men, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Remington liked the mule. The kids liked him. "The first thing they ask is, `Does he spit?"' said Steinhoefel, who raises alpacas and llamas on a 20-acre ranch outside of Jacksonville. "People don't realize that camels are really friendly. He likes to be hugged and loved on," said Steinhoefel. Spitting, she says, is the camel's defense mechanism. "The only time I've seen them spit is when they were fighting over food," said Steinhoefel. When Steinhoefel is busy, Remington goes to live at White Oak Ranch in Eagle Point, where Lewis is a manager. Lewis says not to worry about these desert creatures in the cold weather we've been having lately. "He's got a ton of hair on him," she said. Camels grow heavy winter coats and are native to high desert areas where extreme cold is as common as extreme heat. "They're extremely tough," said Rodgers. "I saw some camels in Saudi Arabia eating twiggy brush and they were in good shape. It's paradise here (in comparison)." Both Remington and Mandub could survive on grass hay, but they also get a grain supplement made for llamas, a cousin of the camel. Remington was purchased from a Bactrian breeder who has a herd of 15 camels in Spokane. His mother was from the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Mandub was raised in a petting zoo and was purchased from an exotic-animal dealer from Seattle. Neither of the camel owners wanted to disclose how much they paid for their hairy friends, but Steinhoefel said that prices for a Bactrian gelding can run from $5,000 to $12,000. The price for a breeding female can reach $25,000, she said. So what would make someone want to buy an expensive beast that can grow up to 9 feet tall and 1,500 pounds, with feet the size of dinner plates? Steinhoefel said it was for love. "He's a baby. He's my baby," she confessed. Three years ago she and her daughter traveled to Colorado for an alpaca convention. They saw a baby camel and were immediately sold on the idea of being camel owners. "My husband said, `You're crazy,"' said Steinhoefel. But she was persistent, researching camels and contacting Wildlife Safari in Winston and Marine World in California. What she found out was that camels are intelligent, social creatures who behave well when treated well. "They've got a terrific memory," said Steinhoefel. "If you are mean to them, they won't forget." With a lifespan of 40 years, Remington and Mandub may be reminiscing about when they were the first camels in the Rogue Valley. In January, Alharamain will hold a special cultural event in the traditional setting of an Arabian wool tent. The tent, which was purchased for the event, will be fully furnished and decorated. Coffee, dates and other snacks will be served. Of course, Mandub will be costumed in his finest to meet new friends. Call 482-1116 for information and reservations. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA