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Animals in Culture
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An Act of Camel: The Thirsty Beast Who Cancelled an Irish Christmas Party
In 2006, an Irish Christmas party was cancelled due to an 'act of camel.' Gus, a star of the holiday show, escaped his enclosure, drank six cans of Guinness, and devoured 200 mince pies, leading to a legendary and hilarious festive fiasco at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.
A Christmas Caper in County Westmeath
In the annals of party cancellations, reasons often range from bad weather to unforeseen circumstances. But in December 2006, at the Mullingar Equestrian Centre in Ireland, the staff had to invent a new category: an "act of camel." This is the story of Gus, a two-humped Bactrian camel with an unquenchable thirst for festive cheer, who single-handedly brought a Christmas party to a halt in the most spectacular fashion imaginable.
The centre was preparing for its annual holiday celebration for around 100 people. Food and drink were laid out in a shed, ready for the festivities. Meanwhile, Gus, a star attraction in the centre's "Wonder of Christmas" show, was biding his time in his enclosure, seemingly waiting for the perfect moment to make his move.
The Great Escape and the Guinness Heist
Gus's opportunity came when the electric fence to his paddock was temporarily switched off for feeding. Seizing his chance, the seven-foot-tall, one-ton camel made a break for it. He didn't wander far. Instead, he made a beeline for the storage shed where the party supplies were kept. What followed was a feast of legendary proportions. Gus proceeded to consume an entire buffet intended for human guests. His festive binge included a large Christmas pudding, a dozen Danish pastries, a bag of carrots, and, most impressively, 200 mince pies. But he wasn't finished. Gus then turned his attention to the beverages, cleverly using his teeth to puncture and drink six cans of Guinness stout, leaving the empty cans strewn about the scene.
An 'Act of Camel'
When the staff discovered the scene of culinary carnage, they knew the party could not go on. The centre's manager, Robert Fagan, had the unique task of explaining the cancellation to the press, coining a phrase that would immortalize the incident.
We had to cancel the party because of an act of camel. We had a big party organized for about 100 people and had all the food and drink ready. But Gus managed to get out of his enclosure and get into the shed where we were storing it all.
Fortunately, Gus suffered no major ill effects from his night of indulgence, aside from what was described as a "slightly upset tummy." The party, however, was a total loss.
The Legend of Gus
In the years since, the story of Gus the Guinness-drinking camel has become a beloved piece of modern Irish folklore. It resurfaces online nearly every holiday season, a reminder of the delightful absurdity that can sometimes accompany Christmas. Gus's adventure is more than just a funny news clipping; it's a testament to the unpredictable nature of animals and a uniquely Irish tale of festive chaos that continues to bring a smile to faces around the world.