"It's Been a Month Since Birth" ... Seoul Grand Park's 'Baby Nakta' Greets on YouTube

by Jo Inkyung

Published 08 Jun.2020 06:00(KST)

Video Released of Female Dambong Camel 'Geobong'

Baby camel 'Geobong' and mother camel 'Juseu'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Seoul Grand Park announced on the 8th that it will release a video on YouTube capturing the adorable appearance of 'Geobong,' a female dromedary camel born one month ago.

The dromedary camel, characterized by the hump on its back, has wide soles that allow it to walk well on the hot desert sand, knees covered with calluses, nostrils that can open and close to prevent sand from entering, and long eyelashes that protect its eyes and ears from dust. The fat-filled hump serves as a source of nutrition when food is scarce, and the hump may shrink when the camel is tired or malnourished.

The baby camel was born around 1 p.m. on May 8th to a male camel (Podo) and a female camel (Juseu). Right after birth, it was weak and could not stand well, but the mother camel helped by pulling its tail and continuously teaching it how to stand up. The mother camel, who had undergone a long pregnancy of 13 months (390~410 days), was giving birth for the first time but successfully taught the baby how to walk and gave the first nursing.

The keepers named the baby camel 'Geobong,' meaning to grow big and strong.

According to Seoul Grand Park, Geobong is currently very curious and active, growing noticeably day by day. Although still nursing, it shows interest in the mother's food, which consists of hay and vegetables, and also peeks at other camels in the adjacent enclosure.

Camels are very intelligent and can distinguish people well. Seo Wan-beom, a keeper at Seoul Grand Park, said, "During the breeding season or times like now when the mother camel's maternal instincts are strong, accidents can happen, so visitors are asked not to come close to the enclosure and to maintain a proper distance while viewing."