Richard and Ibraham, two placid camels, entertained a crowd of travel writers and students of Bovina Elementary School Tuesday as part of a visit to Vicksburg, a visit that brought camels back to Mississippi since last being used during the Civil War.

Weighing up to 2,000 pounds each, the visiting mammals are part of the U.S. Camel Corps organized by Doug Baum, a former zookeeper and full-time camel guide in Valley Mills, Texas.

The camels were to be at the Vicksburg National Military Park at Surrender Interview site on Pemberton Avenue today through 4:30 p.m. Free formal demonstrations will be at 1 and 3 p.m.

Baum presented a history program to both groups separately on the use of camels during the Civil War.