Nadya Zamolodskaya, "Mrs.Russia Earth 2010", "Mrs. Moscow-2009" tells the story:
"During my world tour as "Mrs. Russia Earth 2010", which began in Tunisia, the following incident was happend.
We were on our way from the children's center. Driving through the city of Monastir, I noticed a young camel and asked to stop the car. Until then, I have never seen such young camel, because he was almost as high as me.
I approached him, wanted to caress, and he began to cry so loudly that I was shoked. I did not understand why he was crying.
It turned out that the camel belonged to the butcher's shop, where the meat sells, including the camel meat. The boy, the son of a butcher, eloquently showed the gesture, holding his hand at his throat, what will become of these poor animal. He even offered me to try this meat, saying that it is very tasty and tender.
I am very tolerant and respectful to the traditions of different peoples. I understand that for residents of North Africa camel was historically the transportation, clothing, milk and meat as well. And also the main personage in the souvenirs of Africa. But somehow quite absurd for us to see this rare animal (rare for non African) in a butcher's shop on the street.
I sat in the car, the camel was crying so loudly, my daughter was upset. It was a difficult time.
Further along the road to the hotel we saw a couple of the same young camels.
Once again, for local residents - it is absolutely normal, as for us a cow, sheep, chicken.
The next day I woke up with a solution that something must be done for that baby camel to save his life.. I asked representatives of tourist company to go with me to buy that camel. They call me Brigitte Bardot, apparently, for her extraordinary love for animals, but went to find the camel with me. Imagine my surprise when at the same location another camel was already, slightly younger than the first.
So we bought him together with ex-Mayor of Monastir city Mr. Chakib Ben Fredj. Butcher, it seemed to us, did not understand that we bought a camel not for eating, but just to keep him alive.
The story of our camel started in the Sahara desert, where he was born. At the age of 6 months he was transferred to the city and sold to a butcher's shop. Then I met him, and together with the ex-Mayour bought it from a butcher. He was really lucky. So we named him Lucky. Now Lucky lives on the farm in Monastir. His first appearance was at the 1st International Festival "Family of the Earth" when Russian and Tunisian children was giving a joint concert. After the concert children ran into the yard to paint the Wall of Friendship, and saw our camel Lucky. He was still scared and sometimes shouting, but quickly calmed down when I stroked his nose and between the ears. Children took many pictures with him and were very happy to meet a new friend.
Unfortunately, I had very little time to learn how I can take a camel to Russia, what documents should be formalized. And most importantly, where to settle him in Russia. Maybe in the Novosibirsk Zoo, which is considered as one of the best in the world. There I can visit him twice a year, my parents live in the Novosibirsk region. He will become a symbol of friendship of peoples, and children of these people. But can the animal from Sahara desert survive in a Siberian climate? He'll have to put on special boots - valenki in the winter)))
or maybe send him to Dubai, where there is a special school for the camels, which participate in the races. Or leave this sun of desert in Africa delighting tourists?
That's such a sad story with a happy end!
But this is only the beginning: Lucky is growing+and we are following his life!
