Becky Northaven gets a kiss from Eli

Becky Northaven gets a kiss from Eli

Yes, that’s a camel: Eli the dromedary is right at home and drawing attention on Peninsula

PORT ANGELES — Eli the dromedary is turning heads at his new home between Port Angeles and Sequim.

The 8-foot tall camel arrived in Port Angeles from a breeder in Tacoma on Oct. 26, and at times stops traffic when he stands at his fence at the top of the hill, said Becky Northaven, owner of Duneach Farm, located on U.S. Highway 101 near Blue Mountain Road.

“We have a lot of people who stop in front of the property. For the most part, people have been polite and considerate,” Northaven said.

Occasionally curious passersby will use a neighbor’s driveway to try to get closer to Eli, and then park on the neighbor’s leech field.

“That’s not OK,” she said.

People who contact her with requests to visit the camel are welcome, she said.

Eli, a gelding, is 8 feet tall at the top of his hump, weighs 1,700 pounds, and is 9 years old.

Dromedaries live 30 to 50 years.

Most of Eli’s pasture is out of view to the casual passer-by, but sometimes Eli stands at the fence at the top, watching Northaven work on her tractor.

“He thinks if there’s a tractor it’s lunchtime,” she said.

This is the second camel Northaven has owned, and she said she regrets giving up her previous, much larger female camel, which she sold before moving to Port Angeles from California.

That camel was also purchased from a Washington state breeder. Camels typically cost $7,000 to $15,000.

She said she and her family plan to use Eli for riding, to perform in live Nativity scenes with Peppermint the donkey, photo shoots, petting zoos and other activities.

The family practices mounted archery on their horses, she said. She has purchased a custom saddle for Eli, for riding and for archery.

She said she also has a type of saddle for Eli that is similar to those used in zoos for camel rides, so that she can offer rides at events.

Camels evolved on the North American continent before crossing the land bridge to Asia and South America, and are quite comfortable in the winter weather, Northaven said.

Winter and night time temperatures in the desert regions where dromedaries live can be very cold, and Eli has a thick winter coat, she said

Fossilized camel remains have been found from Nunavut in northern Canada to the La Brea Tar Pits in Southern California.

Paleontologists have estimated that the camel died out in the Americas about 10,000 years ago, at about the same time as mammoths and other species in the Americas.

Bactrian camels — heavier-bodied camels with two humps — are found in central Asia, and are similar to the extinct American camel, while the dromedary camel evolved for desert conditions in North Africa.

“Dromedary means swift,” Northaven said, and noted they are longer legged and faster than their Bactrian cousins.

Llama and alpaca are also descendents of the North American camel.

Northaven said veterinarians familiar with llamas and alpacas are able to provide care to the similar but larger dromedaries and Bactrians.

So far Eli is settling into his new home, and has become friends with the horses and donkey who share a fenceline, she said.

She said it is too risky to put Eli and the horses together, because horses, in play and in anger, have a kick that connects lower than a camel would be used to defending from, and Eli could be injured.

Those interested in booking Eli for an event, or to visit or for more information about the farm’s services should phone the farm at 360-477-0022.

________

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port Angeles on Tuesday following annual dry dock and maintenance in Anacortes. During the maintenance period, extensive work was performed on the dock, including replacement of a wing wall used to steer and secure the vessel during loading and unloading of cars and passengers. The ferry is scheduled to resume daily service between Port Angeles and Victoria on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Coho returns

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port… Continue reading

Building association calls for city to cease utility charges

Association says charges unconstitutional

Jefferson Land Trust considering conservation burial ground

Funds from plot sales could fund habitat improvements

Port Angeles artist Bob Stokes sits in his studio and music venue on Wednesday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Art community mourns Bob Stokes’ passing

Legacy includes statues, concerts, gatherings

Clallam PUD
Cindy Kimble, Clallam PUD’s customer and community outreach programs coordinator, can help residents navigate the utility district’s revamped low-income energy assistance program.
Clallam PUD hires staff to help low-income customers

Clallam County Public Utility District has overhauled its low-income energy… Continue reading

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve a sample of chili to Monica Dixon of Sequim during Saturday’s Community Chili Cookoff at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. The event, organized by the club and Boy Scout Troop 90, showcased the culinary skills of six community organizations with each group receiving a share of the proceeds and the winner taking a $500 prize. The food bank’s chili recipe took top honors in the competition. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Chili cookoff

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve… Continue reading

Port Townsend to test sewer system with smoke, dye

The city of Port Townsend will test its sewer… Continue reading

JUMP! Playground to close for renovations

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will close the JUMP! Playground… Continue reading

Barcy Fisher, left, and Patti Buckland have been selected as the 2024 Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.
Fisher, Buckland honored as Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Barcy Fisher and Patty Buckland were named Marrowstone Island’s 2024… Continue reading

About 800 people from Jefferson and Clallam counties spill out from the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse onto Jefferson Street in Port Townsend on Monday to take part in a National Day of Protest organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Hundreds protest actions of Trump administration

Activists cite USAID, worry about Treasury, impacts of immigration

Peninsula to welcome Canadian visitors

Celebration of Coho passengers planned

Fish barrier removal to impact highway traffic

Portions of roadway to have long-term closures