Gift of camel ends in tragic death

In a sad, terrible tragedy Pam Weaver's body was found by her husband at the family's sheep and cattle ranch.

Killed by a pet camel given to her as birthday present, Police reported that the 24-stone animal crushed Mrs Weaver after trying to have sex with her in their back yard.

"I'd say it's probably been playing, or it may be even a sexual sort of thing," said Detective Senior Constable Craig Gregory.

Camel expert Paddy McHugh explained that this is typical of mating behaviour. "What happened is certainly characteristic of a bull in season," he said.

"That's how they kill their opposition - they pull their legs out from underneath and then sit on them with their brisket, which is the hard bit underneath their chest.

"But I can count on one hand the number of people that have been killed by camels in Australia in the past 100 years."

Mr Weaver commented on the choice of birthday present: "She had a love of exotic pets."