The operator of a camel sanctuary in regional Victoria is pleading for the return of a baby camel she alleges was stolen from her property two days ago.
"Mummy is absolutely devastated," owner Lauren Wallace wrote on social media.
"Camels are very emotional creatures and can die from postnatal depression and the pain from losing her baby.
"This could very easily kill Mum."
Ms Wallace runs a sanctuary at Ardmona in the Goulburn Valley called For the Love of Camels, with a herd of more than 20.
She said the calf was only six weeks old.
Ms Wallace made an impassioned plea for people in the area to keep an eye out for any orphan camels up for sale.
Shepparton police say Ms Wallace has filed a report on the alleged theft and the matter is being investigated.
'There were tear drops'
Nearby in Kyabram, a camel milk dairy operator confirmed the hump-backed beasts were adoring mothers.
Megan and Chris Williams launched The Camel Milk Co Australia about eight years ago.
"When we first started, we noticed the complexity of camels' nature and emotions," Ms Williams said.
Soon after the couple launched their business, they saw just how deeply a camel mum cared for her young.
"We actually had a baby calf pass away and the mother stood over it and physically cried," Ms Williams said.
"There were tear drops falling.
"We were quite taken aback and shocked."
Ms Wallace says camel calves are difficult to bottle-feed, although she has managed to bottle-rear some on camel milk.
"It's quite challenging," she said.
"We come from a dairy farming background and camels have different behavioural habits ... it's better for them to be socialising with their own herds."
Ms Wallace said over the years people had called her farm wanting to buy a camel to keep their grieving camels company.
"It is a thing for camels to be out of sorts because they've lost a camel," she said.
