Camel
Brett Westwood follows the route trodden by the camel from being a revered subject of Arabic eulogies to being reviled by Europeans now being ridden by robot jockeys. From 2016
Brett Westwood follows the route trodden by the camel from being a revered subject of Arabic eulogies to being reviled by European explorers. In its latest incarnation it's being ridden by robot camel jockeys in silks and sunglasses and taking part in beauty contests... But is the camel a figure of fun or something rather sadder?
Taking part:
Rebecca and Joseph Fossett, owners of Joseph’s Amazing Camels
Robert Irwin, novelist and Middle East expert and author of Camel
Dr Richard Reading, Director of Conservation Biology, Denver Zoological Foundation
James Rawson, journalist and film maker
Original Producer Beth O'Dea
Archive Producer Andrew Dawes for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Audio in Bristol
First broadcast in a longer form 23rd August 2016
Last on
Rebecca and Joseph Fossett, Joseph's Amazing Camels
Joseph Fossett is a member of the oldest circus family in the United Kingdom. Joseph has been training animals for over 35 years including lions, tigers, elephants, bears, horses and of course camels.
Robert Irwin
Most recently he has edited an introduced Tales of the Marvellous and News of the Strange (a medieval Arab story collection) in 2014.  He was formerly a lecturer in the Department of Mediaeval History in the University of St Andrews.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, of the London Institute of ’Pataphysics, of the Royal Asiatic Society and of the Society of Antiquaries.  He is a consulting editor at the Times Literary Supplement and is a Senior Research Associate of the Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures Department of the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University.
James Rawson
Having spent three years in the Middle East, he is now based in London, where he divides his time between freelance journalism and producing educational films and interactives for the heritage sector.
Dr Rich Reading
He has worked primarily on grassland ecosystems on six continents, with a focus on the Great Plains of N. America, the steppes of Mongolia, the savannahs of Botswana, and the Altiplano of Peru and Bolivia. His work focuses on developing pragmatic, effective, and interdisciplinary approaches to the conservation of wildlife and protected areas through research, capacity development, and working with local people and governments.
Currently his research focuses on native Mongolian ungulates, specifically Bactrian Camels and Argali Sheep. He is also heavily involved in the conservation of Black-tailed prairie dogs.Β Dr Reading has worked in Mongolia since 1994 on a variety of conservation projects.
Broadcasts
- Tue 23 Aug 2016 11:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Mon 29 Aug 2016 21:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 10 Oct 2021 06:35Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4