HAVANA, Illinois – A nearly 7-foot (2.1-meter) tall camel named Bocephalus
suffered only scratches and bruises after jumping out of a horse trailer as
it traveled 55 mph (90 kph) down a highway.

Leroy Bollinger called the police in this small central Illinois town after
stopping for gas, checking his trailer and finding that the camel had
disappeared.

An hour after the two-county search began, Bollinger’s son, Robert, spotted
the 4-month-old male camel about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the river.

Bocephalus was bruised and scratched – not too bad considering the camel
apparently hopped the trailer’s 4-foot (1.2 meter) gate as it whizzed along
the highway, said Bollinger.

Though sore and uncomfortable, Bocephalus is expected to fully recover,
Bollinger said.

Bollinger said he bought the camel to train him for children’s rides. He
also has been used in live Nativity scenes.