The following  suggestions  have been provided to be used as a guideline to help in the
capture and rescue of an escaped or abandoned llama.  Information shared by 
veterinarians, trainers and caring llama breeders. 

In the case of a truly berserk llama extreme caution should be taken 
  Berserk Llama  by John Mallon

Planning is the key to success!

• Two or three quiet, calm individuals who've spent a few minutes planning what they're going to do, and how they are going to do it, are more successful than a dozen arm-waving individuals who don't have a good plan.
• Darting the llama is not  recommend unless the llama or people are in danger of injury, as doses are not safe enough and it  is difficult to get a dart through the wool without using such a large charge that could cause injury to the llama.
• NEVER Lasso - You could break the llamas neck or legs.

Capture Concerns: 
You get a call of a llama running loose.  (sometimes people don't know what the animal is, if they hae not seen llamas before)

Questions to ask:

• The exact location the llama was spotted
• Is the llama injured - unable to get up - stuck or trapped in something
• Is the llama wearing a halter
• Do you know of other llamas in the area
• What type of area have you seen the llama - open field, housing development, highway traffic
• General size of llama -  size of a pony, large horse (Wool can be deceiving in the weight of the animal)
• How long have you been seeing the llama
• Ask them to Keep the animal in sight until help arrives. Advise them not to try to catch the llama

Address the immediate danger to the animal:

• Need to stop traffic if llama is on a highway or city street
• Injury to animal
• Injury to people
• Dogs or other animals in area
• Scout the area for a potential  "catch pen" - an alleyway that can be blocked off with a big truck, a space between a house and garage a fenced in area
• In an open field you will need to lure or herd the llama to a corner, building or catch pen
• Heat Stress - In hot weather this is really a danger to the llama
  
  • Emergency heat stress treatment (symptoms of heat stress - open mouth breathing, frothing at mouth, chest area feels very hot, glazed eyes, can't walk - hose legs, genital area and  belly with cool water, bags of ice to lay around the llama, shade, fans, bucket of cold water, shear the llama around the belly area. 

Let's Think About:

• The Approach - SLOW IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
  We would not recommend to use any type of dart or tranquilizer gun 

DON'T LASSO

Llamas are curious and will approach to see if you have food
Shake a grain bucket and offer the feed - DON'T GRAB at the llama

Try to get the llama to follow to a small area or V-shaped area that you can close off with a herding rope, garden hose or something you can stretch across a small area

If the llama has ever been handled - in most cases once they see they are confined and you can get a hand on the back or neck area you can put your arm around the neck and get a rope type halter, or halter on the animal - A lead rope around the top of the neck can  be used to move the llama for a short distance.

When using a herding rope - it is most effective at the CHEST level of the llama. They will try to jump or duck down so keep moving the rope to touch the chest. 

• The Capture - You cannot outrun a llama
  • If possible luring is best - use another llama or food
  • You must herd the llama and not just CHASE him
  • What equipment do you have on hand - garden hose, rope, brooms, herding poles.
  • Large  wide dog collar with quick snaps and a lead can be used for a SHORT distance to lead the animal
  • Catch pen, bales of hay stacked up, corral panels, plywood to block an area, barn, garage
  • Dr. Pugh does the "ear hold" and pin against a wall in an emergency until a halter or rope can be put on the llama
    

• Now What - basic needs
  • Immediate medical needs if injured
  • Emergency heat stress treatment (symptoms of heat stress - open mouth breathing, frothing at mouth, chest area feels very hot, glazed eyes, can't walk - hose legs, genital area and  belly with cool water, bags of ice to lay around the llama, shade, fans, bucket of cold water
• Halter needs to be high under the eyes - not down on the soft part of the nose  - here we see a quick halter made from a rope. Does not "squeeze his nose"

Contact a local llama breeder, llama association for help in finding the llamas owner. A contact list has been provided in your packet.

Please duplicate any of the information in your packet for distribution by your facility in the effort to educate others about the special needs in capturing llamas. If you have any questions or concerns we did not cover please contact us.

Tom and Judy Ross
Good News Llamas
Chesapeake, Ohio 45619
740-867-4267 home
304-696-7310 work
ross@marshall.edu