Zebra, camel OK'd for Victory Stables in Washington Township

Things are about to get exotic in Washington Township.

Township supervisors on Thursday approved a request by Victory Stables on Camp Nancy Road to house two exotic animals.

Victory Stables manager Jessica Corbin, 31, said she plans to acquire a zebra and a camel within the next few months and raise them at what she describes as a 55-acre Christian recreational horse farm.

Supervisor Joe Olszewski said the exotic animal request was a first for the township.

“We don’t really regulate any type of animals in the township so this was new to us. We’re looking forward to see how it turns out,” Olszewski said.

The township requires Corbin to submit copies of all necessary permits and licenses, including ones from the seller and transporter of the animals, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with habitat inspection reports and proof of insurance. She also must enter into an agreement releasing the township from any liability associated with the exotic animals.

Pennsylvania regulates exotic pets and associated laws and permits are handled by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Corbin, an Alle-Kiski Valley native, has obtained all but one of the necessary permits and has her USDA exhibitor license.

Township approval is required for the last permit Corbin is seeking — a menagerie license from the Game Commission.

She is partnering in the venture with her boyfriend Dan Wallen, a wildlife animal trainer and owner and founder of Wallen Legacy Exotic Animal Training.

Wallen is a fourth-generation animal trainer specializing in animal entertainment. He’s appeared on numerous television shows and is experienced in training exotic animals such as llamas, camels, buffalo, zebras, Brahma bulls and zebu.

Corbin and Wallen plan to buy the animals as days-old babies and bottle-feed them.

“We are getting a Grant’s zebra because they are a little bit smaller and they’re not on the endangered species list,” said Corbin, adding that raising a zebra has been a lifelong goal since she was a child.

“I was living in Texas and my mom pretty much bribed me with a zebra to move back here with my son and her youngest grandson,” Corbin said.

Corbin researched exotic animal ownership for two years and said her decision to raise exotic animals wasn’t hasty.

Wallen said he prefers a male dromedary single-hump camel over the Bactrian two-humped camel for individual rides.

“Camels have really taken off in the trail riding community,” said Wallen, 39.

Corbin said bottle-feeding the animals will provide necessary bonding.

“We’ll get to imprint on them. Being exotics and wild animals, we want them to know and respect who we are,” Corbin said.

The camel and zebra will be housed among horses in stalls in the Grace Barn, but they won’t be road-trip ready for several years.

“The camels mature around 4 to 5 years old,” Wallen said. “Zebras mature at around age 3.”

Wallen said exotic animals aren’t cheap.

“The two will cost about $15,000 to $20,000 due to the rarity and niche aspect of the animals,” Wallen said.

Corbin said the exotic pair won’t be on public display.

When the zebra and camel are mature enough after 3 to 5 years, the couple plan to exhibit them at various circuses, fairs, festivals and events around the country.