Two exotic animals are making themselves at home in Washington Township.

Zebulun, a 3-week-old Grant’s zebra, and Abraham, a 1-year-old dromedary camel, arrived safely at Victory Stables last week after a 13-hour road trip from the Midwest.

Victory Stables Manager Jessica Corbin, 32, and her boyfriend, Dan Wallen, a wildlife animal trainer, plan to raise and train the animals, eventually using them for local and regional educational events, fairs, festivals and programs.

The couple were granted approval from township supervisors to house the duo in March.

The exotics are a first for the township.

Corbin had both animals examined by a local vet Monday and both Abraham and Zebulun were deemed healthy and seem to be adjusting nicely to their new digs on the 55-acre Christian recreational horse farm.

Pennsylvania regulates exotic pets and relevant laws and permits.

Victory Stables obtained all of the necessary permits, most recently acquiring a USDA exhibitor license.

The township required the stable to submit all necessary permits and licenses and to enter into an agreement releasing the township from any liability associated with the animals.

The couple stressed owning exotics is a serious responsibility, and their research process took years.

“As cute and amazing as they are, they require expert care and handling. The only reason for us doing this is because of the years and family generations of Dan’s family handling and training these magnificent animals. I do not want to encourage anyone to go out and buy an animal,” Corbin said.

Corbin said the combined cost of both animals was about $15,000.

The animals are being housed in separate stalls in the Grace Barn.

Corbin said she shares her birthday with Zebulun, Sept. 17.

“This birthday gift was meant to be,” Corbin said.

Wallen will serve as primary trainer and the couple handles nightly feeding duties with baby Zebulun together.

Zebulun will weigh in at around 700 lbs. when grown. The zebra drinks milk-based formula from a sturdy dish, not a bottle, and has begun to nibble on hay.

Abraham consumes one hay bale daily, along with supplemental grains.

Corbin said the animals may be ready to travel to events in 2022, but Abraham will not be allowed to take riders until he is at least 4 years old.

When grown, Abraham will weigh more than 1,300 pounds.

Abraham hails from Oklahoma, where he was raised on a camel dairy farm.

“He’s a little bit sassy. They actually milked camels there. He was a pet and the previous owner thought Abraham would benefit from someone with more experience,” Corbin said.

Wallen described Abraham as a “super smart horse” and said camels are very intuitive.

He said zebras maintain their wild instincts.

“Their goal is to get away from a lion, that’s what they’re bred for, born for — so you have to train them young like this. If they’re 3 months old, it’s too late to handle them. They’re already too strong,” Wallen said.

Wallen, a fourth-generation animal trainer, said forming a lifelong bond with both animals is a priority — adding that a camel can expect to live about 30 years and a zebra can expect to make it to 20.

“I want to be their whole world. It’s more than just training, it’s being there with them and building a relationship,” Wallen said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)