Oregon
John Day, Oregon: Camel population — 2 – East Oregonian
JOHN DAY — Grant County’s camel population doubled on March 20.
That’s when Hilde, the county’s famous 1,700-pound Bactrian camel, gave birth to Cora.
Talyn and Tabitha Elliott brought Hilde to the county about a year ago. The Elliotts didn’t know it at the time, but Hilde was beginning her 13-month-long gestation period with Cora before she arrived in John Day from Oklahoma.
“What happened is, Hilde was in a field with other female camels and a bull, and she wasn’t supposed to have her first heat until spring,” Talyn said. “She went into heat a year early, and the camel rancher knew she’d gone into heat but wasn’t sure if she’d actually been bred.”
Talyn said it became apparent to Tabitha last summer that Hilde was pregnant, but he was skeptical. In the end, Tabitha was proven correct.
What followed was a gestation period that stretched through the summer, winter and into the springtime, ending with Cora’s birth March 20 on the hill behind the Elliots’ home up West Bench Road.
Talyn said Cora was between 65 and 105 pounds when she was born.
Proud mom
Hilde conducted a sort of official introduction of Cora on March 22 to drivers along West Bench Road, Talyn said, bringing her into the front yard to “show her off” to passersby. Hilde attracted attention from passing cars along the same road, and Cora was no different.
“She’s already getting a lot of socialization for sure,” Talyn said.
Interacting with Cora behind the Elliots’ fence makes one thing apparent — Hilde is never far away.
She’s not threatening or intimidating, and she’ll let people get close to pet the baby — if Cora doesn’t eagerly approach the visitors first.
Talyn said as Cora gets older and larger, Hilde likely will be less protective. For now, Hilde and the occasional grunt she unleashes to remind people that she’s a watchful mom can be expected.
Hilde will nurse Cora for about a year. After that, Cora will move on to the alfalfa, grass hay, rose bushes, thistles and other plants that make up Hilde’s diet.
Hilde is 75% Bactrian, the two-humped camel variety, and Cora’s dad is 100% Bactrian, meaning Cora will have two prominent humps, just like her parents. Her coat will remain white, but its silver patches and streaks will become more prominent as she grows.
Future plans
Talyn called Cora’s birth a welcome surprise and was ecstatic the calf was white instead of Hilde’s traditional brown.
Talyn and Tabitha’s two children, ages 14 and 12, were excited as well.
“They were just kind of in awe of the baby; it was cool,” Talyn said. “They didn’t know what to think at first, and then they just started loving on her, and it was cute.”
Talyn said he hopes to get Cora “excellently trained.” He’s already been picking up the calf’s feet to help her walk better.
The goal is to have Hilde and Cora walk in a line behind Talyn while he makes one of his famous walks through town.
There may be interest to breed Hilde again, but Talyn said that can’t be done for at least two years, so he doesn’t have any plans to do so yet.
“I probably will want to have a little herd of camels,” he said, “but I’m not in any hurry to breed her again.”
For now, Talyn welcomes anybody who wants to make the trip up West Bench Road in John Day to stop by and catch a glimpse of Cora. He asks that visitors stay outside the fence to interact with young camel.
Those who want to keep up with Hilde and Cora can follow hildethecamel on Instagram.
Entering the 2026 college football season, the Oregon Ducks are looking to not only win their first national championship in program history but also their second Big Ten title in the last three seasons.
When the Ducks joined the Big Ten in 2024, they kicked off their inaugural season in the conference in style, finishing the regular season undefeated at 13-0. This regular season was concluded with a thrilling 45-37 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten championship game.
Eug 040522 Lanning 02 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The Ohio State Buckeyes, however, got revenge for their loss to the Ducks at Autzen Stadium earlier in the regular season, beating Oregon 41-21 in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. Entering the 2026 season, here’s a look at the Ducks’ chances of winning the Big Ten for the second time.
Oregon Ducks Big Ten Title Odds: Who’s The Biggest Threat?
According to the latest betting odds by FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ducks have +270 odds to win the Big Ten championship this season. The one team ahead of them is the Ohio State Buckeyes at +190, who, believe it or not, are in search of their first Big Ten title since 2020. The Buckeyes were upset by the Indiana Hoosiers 13-10 in the Big Ten championship last season.
Among the top teams in the Big Ten next season, Ohio State poses the biggest threat to the Ducks’ chances of not only winning a conference title but also the national championship. The Buckeyes and Ducks will face off in what could be the game of the year in Columbus on Nov. 7.
As exciting as this matchup will be for college football fans, it likely won’t be the only one between the Buckeyes and Ducks. Regardless of which team wins the Nov. 7 showdown in Columbus, the Buckeyes and Ducks could match up again in the Big Ten title game and in the CFP.
Other Teams That Pose a Threat to Oregon
While the Buckeyes are the main threat to the Ducks’ Big Ten title aspirations, other teams will be worth watching. One of those teams is the defending national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers.
Despite the key losses this offseason, which include Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, coach Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers restocked talent with the addition of TCU Horned Frogs transfer quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh.
The only two losses that the Ducks suffered last season came against the Hoosiers. If the two face off in the Big Ten championship, Indiana looks to continue its dominance over the Ducks. The Hoosiers and Ducks don’t play each other during the regular season.
The USC Trojans, whom the Ducks will face at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Sept. 26, also look to knock off Oregon in what should be one of the top games of the first month of the college football season. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is undefeated 2-0 against USC’s Lincoln Riley and looks to extend the Ducks’ winning streak against the Trojans to five games.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 14 drawing
02-04-10-48-56, Mega Ball: 22
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 14 drawing
1PM: 6-3-6-3
4PM: 7-0-0-9
7PM: 2-0-6-0
10PM: 2-5-1-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. — Oregon State Police are asking for additional witnesses to come forward after a three-vehicle crash on Highway 20E in Deschutes County left two people seriously injured.
Troopers responded at 12:47 p.m. Friday, July 10, to the crash near milepost 41. A preliminary investigation found a westbound 2013 black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck pulling a single-axle utility trailer attempted to pass a black Dodge 4500 towing a trailer. Police said an eastbound Hyundai Elantra tried to avoid a collision with the Chevrolet, lost control in the gravel on the eastbound shoulder, veered into the westbound lane and collided with the trailer pulled by the Dodge 4500.
The driver and passenger of the Hyundai were flown by air medic to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The crash affected traffic for about five hours. The driver of the Chevrolet was cited for careless driving and unsafe passing.
OSP is asking anyone who may have seen the Chevrolet driving westbound on Highway 20 at the moment of, or prior to, the collision to contact the OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers should reference case number SP26-255130.
-
Los Angeles, Ca11 minutes agoRemains of murder victim identified as missing Southern California millionaire
-
Detroit, MI35 minutes ago4Warn Weather Alert: Wildfire smoke leading to ‘unhealthy’ air quality in Metro Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA47 minutes agoSan Francisco fishermen recount harrowing rescue after boat capsizes near Alcatraz
-
Dallas, TX53 minutes agoTimothée Chalamet ‘Starstruck’ by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
-
Miami, FL59 minutes agoWives of detained men allege inhumane conditions at federal detention center in Miami
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoDriver charged in Norwood pedestrian crash that left man seriously injured
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoBoys, 12 and 14, arrested in deadly shooting in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoOutreach groups respond to the reported relocation cycle of Ballard’s homeless population
