Daniel Bethencourt

Detroit Free Press

The Michigan Renaissance Festival has removed a camel from its festivities after passing patrons noticed that it appeared severely malnourished, although it was on display as an attraction and attendees could pay to ride it.

Joe Buys of St. Clair Shores told the Free Press that he and his wife, Cynthia Guy, saw the camel while strolling the festival on Saturday. When Guy posted a photo to Facebook, the reaction was widespread and “struck a nerve.”

“It was obvious that the camel was emaciated and undernourished,” Buys said Thursday. “There was another camel there that was fine. … It was disturbing. When you see an animal like that, that’s obviously in distress, you want to do something about it.”

Buys said that when his wife spotted the camel at the Holly-based festival on Saturday afternoon, she spoke with someone at an information desk but was told to call on Monday. When she did, organizers looked into it. They announced in a series of Facebook posts Thursday that the camel was being overseen by a vendor, who has never caused any problems in six years. Also, the camel and its owner have been removed from the festival.

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“After speaking with the vendor, we have discovered that information had been withheld on the health history of the young camel,” the statement read, before adding: “The camel is indeed under veterinary care for a condition which has caused extreme weight loss but is improving and should enjoy complete recovery.”

Organizers also noted: “We are reaching out to ensure all of our patrons that this is not something that we take lightly.”

Organizers at the festival did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The festival is open weekends (and Labor Day) through Oct. 2. The event creates a 17-acre village with reproductions of Renaissance-era shops and even a castle. For information, go to www.michrenfestnew.michrenfest.com/.

Contact Daniel Bethencourt: dbethencourt@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @_dbethencourt.