One of the Toronto Zoo’s Bactrian camels is expecting

Suria, an 11-year-old Bactrian camel, is pregnant and due to give birth this spring. (The Toronto Zoo/photo)

A new baby camel is on the way at the Toronto Zoo.

On Sunday, the zoo shared the news that Suria, a 11-year-old Bactrian camel, is pregnant and due to give birth in the next few weeks.

The calf is Suria’s third with Zip, another Bactrian camel there.

The Toronto Zoo said its Eurasia Wilds team is “closely monitoring (Suria) as she embarks on this special journey into motherhood once again.”

Her pregnancy was confirmed via ultrasound and is part of the zoo’s “One Well-Being approach by supporting animal health, informing responsible management, and strengthening the connection between animal, human, and environmental well-being.”

Bactrian camels, which are easily recognized by their two humps, are remarkable animals, the Toronto Zoo said, as they store fat to help them survive extreme environments. Native to the deserts of Central Asia, Bactrian camels can withstand both the scorching heat and freezing cold, it said.

Wild Bactrian camels critically endangered

“While many Bactrian camels are domesticated, their wild counterparts face serious challenges. The wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 950 camels remaining in remote regions of Mongolia and China,” said the Toronto Zoo.

“Moments like this highlight the importance of wildlife conservation and the role accredited zoos and conservation organizations like your Toronto Zoo play in protecting species like the Bactrian camel for future generations.”

The zoo said it will be posting updates on social media about the soon-to-arrive calf.