Lessons for HiHo

We have a little yearling bull here, silver in colour with a white blaze and a little white beard, and black tufts along his "ridge-crest". He's cute. Humans think he's cute. His character, and facial expression is a little quirky and quizzical too, and humans think this is cute as well. But the rest of the camels have a different opinion about HiHo.

What humans find cute and endearing in HiHo the other camels see as not quite right. HiHo, for whatever reasons (size, upbringing, early-life influences), is very strong-willed, wants to do things his way, resists guidance, becomes defiant. He clearly knows what is being asked of him but mostly wants to do things his way.

The other camels see HiHo's behaviour as an endangerment to the herd. In the wild HiHo's independent streak might put him, and others, at risk, drawing predators around the herd. Additionally, his social behaviour isn't conducive to the cultural balance of the herd. Because of this he has a hard time fitting in.

The older camels are always watching HiHo's behaviour. They repeatedly lay down the law of the herd and demand that the little guy get straight, and become safe to be around. This involves repeated chasing away and bites to the rump, with HiHo squealing like a pig.

In the months preceding HiHo's introduction to the bigger herd I spent many hours patiently repeating myself to HiHo, gradually getting his agreement to respect me and stand on his own, but in relationship to me. It took a long while, not pushing too hard, gently bringing him through. And at a certain point he started to get it, he started to come with me.

Now, with the herd this last week, he's going through a repeat of that same education process and a deepening of it. Everest and Purni, especially, are on his tail a lot. I can tell its challenging for him, and I really hope he can respond appropriately and become evened out by the other camels' input and guidance (a mixture of mild shunning and hazing).

For his own happiness, balance, maturation and acculturation as a camel we are hoping he'll soon accept the social demands that the others are offering him.