"I am heartbroken and saddened to report that Sheik, our beloved pet camel, has died. I rescued Sheik more that 10 years ago from an abusive travelling petting zoo when Sheik was just 8 weeks old. My family and I bottle fed him for 7 months, we saved him from a miserable life and gave him a beautiful. Camels typically live for up to 50 years, but Sheik was stricken with a rare meningeal parasite after accidentally ingesting a slug which carries the parasite from white tailed deer. Sheik fell to a sitting position in the paddock on November 22, 2024. This particular parasite multiplies and enters the brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system. Sheik's back legs were unable to support his weight. In the hours, days, and weeks following, we treated Sheik with high doses of medications and treatments recommended by a team of veterinarians, although we were advised that the cure rate was extremely low. We moved Sheik under cover to the barn where he has sat in the same position for three months. I've been hand feeding Sheik since November as he apparently decided to only eat if I was with him, handing him pitted dates, carrots, and bananas. Despite the efforts of several visiting veterinarians and consultations with camel vets globally, we were unable to save Sheik. Sheik was not only a local celebrity, he was a fixture in my life and was my best non-human friend...by far. He was beautiful, majestic, big, powerful, loyal, trusting and loving. I always thought Sheik would be here for decades to come. Sheik brought smiles to thousands upon thousands of people who came to see him over the years. He has had visitors from all over the world and was an amazingly social and well-mannered camel. Sheik absolutely loved having visitors here to feed him snacks and pose for pictures. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Although Sheik is now gone, his memory will always remain in my heart and his legacy will live on. One Hump Farm will continue to operate International Camel Rescue and our efforts to rescue, rehab, and rehome at risk and abused Camels, Llamas, and Alpacas will continue in honor of Sheik." - Robb Heering