Staff  at the Capital of Texas Zoo near Austin were shocked and appalled last Thursday morning when they  arrived at work only to discover that their camel and pony were missing. The zoo workers suspect theft in the mysterious disappearance of the 500 pound, 6 foot tall dromedary and Shetland/Welsh pony. The two animals were immensely popular crowd-pleasers at the Texas children’s zoo, and schoolkids from all over the state were bused in to watch the spectacular camel-and-pony shows.

There aren’t many clues and time is running out. Better declare an Amber Alert, and do it soon. Get out the warnings on freeway billboards, TV broadcasts and milk cartons. “Have you seen this dromedary? One hump, answers to the name of ‘Moses’”

There are lots of possibilities to consider, but the smart money here at AITS says that the two beasts of burden will show up safe and sound in a spare bedroom of a UT Austin frat house once the brain-damaged freshmen who nabbed the animals finally run out of pizza and beer to feed them. We can only hope, anyway. Gordy has 20 bucks riding on that theory.