Camel in good shape after hopping out of trailer going 55 mph

HAVANA, Ill. -- So, how do you lose a camel?

That was the question when Leroy Bollinger checked his trailer after stopping for gas Wednesday and found that the 6-to 7-foot-tall camel back there when he started his trip wasn't there any more.

Bollinger called police in this small central Illinois town, along the Illinois River southwest of Peoria, and the camel hunt was on.

An hour after the two-county search began, Bollinger's son, Robert spotted the 4-month-old male camel named Bocephalus about 10 miles west of the Illinois River along U.S. 24.

Bocephalus was bruised and scratched, which isn't too bad considering that the camel apparently hopped the trailer's four-foot gate as it whizzed along the highway at 55 mph, said Bollinger.

"He's in pretty good shape for having jumped out the back of a horse trailer," said Bollinger.

Though the camel was sore and uncomfortable, Bollinger said it is expected to recover.

Bollinger says he bought the camel to train him for children's rides. He also has been used in live Nativity scenes.