President
President of the European Camel Ranch Owners Association (ECROA) and the French Camel sports Federation (FFC), Olivier Philipponneau is a key figure in structuring and promoting the camelid sector in Europe. A passionate breeder, he runs a farm with a dozen dromedaries, offering events, training, and educational programs.
His work focuses on:
– Developing camel tourism and sports, including dromedary races;
– Supporting national federations and breeders;
– Fostering international ties with the Middle East ,America, Australia and Africa;
– Promoting camelid traditions while adapting to modern audiences;
– Advocating animal welfare and intercultural exchange;
– Leading a training center for jockeys and racing dromedaries..
Vice President
We run a camel farm (Kamelfarm Marquard) in the north of Germany, in the middle of Hamburg-Bremen-Hannover. There are around 70 camels on the farm as well as many other animals such as zebras, donkeys and horses, kangaroos, alpacas, sheep and goats.
We offer camel caravans, farm visits, camel races and various other events.
We also milk the camels and send camel milk within Germany and Europe.
Together with his son Frank he started camel dairy Smits (www.kamelenmelk.nl), now the largest professional camel ranch of Europe. Marcel stimulates to implement scientific knowledge into the Ranch. Furthermore he is involved in the development of tools and games for children to increase their knowledge of and interest in camels. For, children can be the best ambassadors of camels.
Marcel published several scientific papers on ammonia emission, domestication, and health aspects of camels and camel milk1-6.
Secretary
Ruben Mantaza leads an event company specialized in the presentation and breeding of camels and dromedaries. As Spain is the leading exporter of camels, Ruben passionately and wholeheartedly promotes Spanish expertise in camel breeding and practices, showcasing this know-how at major events across the country.
His company, Evecan Safari Aventura, located in Cantabria, offers immersive experiences focused on nature and animal welfare, raising public awareness about biodiversity and sustainability. This summer Evecan is opening its doors to provide a unique adventure in harmony with the environment. Ruben Mantaza embodies a deep commitment to nature, blending tradition and modernity to make each event an unforgettable experience.
Treasurer
I am Mathilda, passionate about Bactrian camels, and I am fortunate to own four of these magnificent animals. As an enthusiast, I practice training and riding camels, striving to better understand and develop techniques specific to this fascinating species. I
My skills in communication, content creation, and website management enable me to effectively promote my projects and share my passion. Through my knowledge and exchanges with European partners in the camel sector, I am confident that I can actively contribute to setting up partner structures to support the development of ECROA.
My goal is to work together to help ECROA grow, developing collaborations and initiatives that promote the expansion of this exciting sector.
Let the work begin!
Steve Lauber is a passionate advocate for large camelids and a committed supporter of their promotion and well-being across Europe. An independent carpenter and visionary, he explores innovative projects in permaculture through a social micro-farm nestled in the Swiss mountains. As a dromedary breeder, he embodies the values of animal welfare and best farming practices, combining a respect for nature with a passion for large camelids.
With an extensive communication network across Europe and a natural talent for bringing people together, Steve Lauber has been a valuable supporter of ECROA since its inception. By combining dedication, expertise, and influence, he actively contributes to strengthening ECROA’s network and membership, enthusiastically sharing his vision of sustainable and respectful camelid breeding.
Pierre-Guy Marnet is a french professor working in Institut Agro, the main university of agronomy in France and the second in Europe. He conducts research in the joint UNIT CIRAD/INRAe/Institut Agro SELMET (research on Livestock systems in mediterranean and tropical countries) in the fields of dairy livestock and agricultural engineering (mechanical milking and milking equipment), bio-engineering (immuno-analysis, 2D and 3D imaging, thermography) and endocrinology of lactation, reproduction and behavior (welfare).
His expertise in milking, milk quality and animal physiology and health is recognized throughout the world. He produced more than 110 original scientific papers and more than 230 technical papers, book chapter and scientific and technical communications. He teaches a numerous foreign universities (Milan in Italy, Temucco in Chile..) and vet schools (Associated prof in Vet school of Sidi Thabet in Tunisia) at master and PhD levels as well directly to farmers and technician. Their current projects are “Milking ability and machine milking of ewes, goats and camels” ” development of a camel milk industry in Tunisia and Algeria”, “Milk quality and mastitis control in cows and small ruminants”, “Mechanical induction of lactation in goats” and “usage of Efficient Microorganisms to improve udder health in cows”. He works as an expert for the EU organisation FIL, as a court expert and as a technological consultant.
