Rescued from the brink of despair…

 My Mom Naomi,  my sister Sarah (2 years old) and ME! 

Our very special Naomi died December 4, 2007 - you can read her story

I’d like to introduce to a very sweet friend of mine, Gilligan.

Gilligan is a dark brown bundle of energy with the sweetest face you ever saw. He loves to run and play with the other llamas. He gives kisses and sweet talks everyone he meets.

He has nice conformation – good long neck, nice straight legs, and he moves well. He has lovely soft fiber a rich dark coffee color.  He is a very smart boy and a just over two months old is already picking up all four feet, showing his teeth, and walking on lead. When people see Gilly they can’t believe he was the result of a rescue and almost didn’t make it.

Seeing him happily bounding across the fields you would never know that he almost was not born. His mother was on the verge of death when she was rescued.

A call from a local vet Dr. M prompted a visit to a rural petting zoo. He said there were three llamas in very poor health and warned they probably would not make it. He said this was a desperate situation that needed immediate attention. The llamas had to be confiscated and removed from the premises.

A long ride through narrow, curvy country roads brought us to this zoo. We were shocked at the state of the llamas. There was a llama family one male and two females in a 10x12 pen. There was no grass, very little shade, and a very small three sided shelter just big enough for one adult llama. There was some straw in an abandoned cast iron tub which acted as a hay box. There were literally on a mud island in a chain link fence.

There were other animals in the zoos that seemed to been in equally poor condition.

The male, Zachary, was thin but not in bad shape. He was alert and watchful. He was a pretty boy still proud with nice soft fiber. He was about 6 years old and weighed about 285 pounds.

The adult female, Naomi was very thin and had a glazed look on her face. Her course thin fiber showed she was still nursing her daughter and really lacked even basic food. Naomi was about 6 years old and weighed 225. We found out a bit later she was 4 months pregnant. A pregnant, nursing mom with no food, shelter, or good water. Can you imagine?

The young female, Sara was very thin and small for her state age of almost two years old and weighed 65 pounds. She was very skittish and shy.

A few days later this llama family came to our farm. They were nervous, scared, and starving. They were given a good shelter, room to move, water, good soft hay, vitamins, and all the food they wanted.

The vet again cautioned they were in very bad shape, severely malnourished and would probably not make it. He said we maybe able to save Zach but the two girls he felt were too far gone.

In the photo of Naomi, her fiber was falling out and she was truly a Skelton under the fiber, all were full of parasites and lice.

The llama family began to gain weight and look some better. They were adjusting and losing the look of death and despair. They got their first ever shear jobs.

For the longest time Naomi not leave her shelter or even hold her head up. Sara stayed right by her side. The girls eventually began to gain trust and feel comfortable in the situation.

Zachary was soon ready for a new home. He was placed as a guard with some goats and a llama friend in Central Ohio. He is a very happy and healthy boy. He has a new friend a 3 year girl who adores him and leads him everywhere. He loves his girl and his new home!

The girls grieved a bit when Zachary left the farm but soon joined the herd. Sara began to play with the girls and started leaving her mom. Naomi was still very sad and rarely left the barn. It was almost as if she was afraid if she went out she wouldn’t be allowed back. She eventually began to venture out with the herd and is now quite content and comfortable with the herd.

Naomi began picking up weight and looking more like a pregnant female.  We began to watch carefully because we had no idea when she was bred. We had serious concerns for the health of the mom and the baby. But for 8 months Naomi was given the best feed, vitamins, and hay.  Her overall health, appearance and demeanor improved greatly.

On August 30, 2006 a 22 pound dark brown baby boy was born.  Gilligan had arrived. A healthy, sweet boy.

Since the birth of the baby Naomi has become even more at home realizing she has a home, food, water, shelter, and care that’s not going to go away.  Even though the llama family was split up they all seem to be very happy and getting healthier each day.  At a recent vet visit Dr. M didn’t even recognize Sara. She had grown some, filled out, was healthy and happy.

Gilligan loves to run, prong, play and eat! He is very pretty and sweet llama.

We will be training him to be a PR llama. We look forward to using him in our farm appearances and possibly even showing him at some Non-ALSA shows. His wonderful fiber will be used for a state fair project for 2007.