Camel controversy continues on Penn campus

PHILADELPHIA - April 22, 2011

Action news was at the University of Pennsylvania last Friday, when a fraternity rented the camel for the school's spring fling festivities.

But then pictures of the party animal showed up online, and that's when things got bumpy.

He was the big camel on campus.

"I thought it was great. How many opportunities do you have to see a camel?" said one student.

Kahn is his name, and he's sparked a little controversy after he showed up at the University of Pennsylvania's spring fling festivities last week.

"Nothing really surprises me about college these days. I'm not even kidding," said another student.

Kahn was the star at a Zeta Psi fraternity party. Someone snapped pictures of him surrounded by young women who appear to be having drinks and petting him.

The photos and the animal's presence angered some university employees and students.

"It's like a petting zoo basically, you can't get angry about people going to a petting zoo and posing next to the animal right," asked Aki Tas.

Zeta Psi had nothing to say about their campus camel, but the University told Action News it looked into the matter and found the frat didn't do anything wrong.

"It was harmless fun to be honest," said Fernando Zazueta. "It was hanging around and seeing something that you usually don't see. I think that's part of fling."

Charis Matey who owns the camel and runs The Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo in Bucks County, was hired to bring Kahn and other animals to the party.

She has reportedly said she won't be involved with spring fling again because of the controversy.

Students feel that it's a shame.

"I thought everyone was having a good time, including the camel," said a student.

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