Killer lettuce slays Moroccan Camels?

Back in 2003 HM King Mohammed VI donated ten camels to Peru as a part of a Moroccan mission to boost trade and diplomatic links. Since then the animals have been enjoing life in the coastal city of Ica where the desert climate is close to that of the Sahara - except with the ocaisional sea breeze.

Sadly, the View from Fez, must now report that two have died and a third is sick. The remaining seven are under observation.

And the cause of these camel fatalities? The humble lettuce. Yes, eating your greens, may not be as healthy, as our parents insisted - especially if you are a camel. The head of Ica's animal hygiene unit, William Raffo, says "The animal feeders gave the camels Peruvian lettuce because they thought it contained a lot of protein. Unfortunately it was also high in nitrates, which may have proved fatal."

Abdelilah Nejjari, from the Moroccan Embassy in Lima, is reported by Reuters news agency as saying - "It seems like an epidemic."

RPP radio reports however, said the illnesses were caused by "fresh alfalfa".

Caretakers are worried about the lives of the remaining four beasts that consumed the greenery. They admitted they are not experienced at raising or treating camels and have asked for specialists to be sent from Lima to examine the animals.

Let's hope that a quick change of diet and a little Ramadan fasting will have the surviving camels back in top form.

Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news