Help My Llama's Loose! These suggestions come from several experienced trainers and  may differ for your individual needs: Remember Llamas are not like Horses, Cows, Dogs or Cats.  In the wild the llama is an animal that is a PREY animal  always on the guard for the predator. "Eyes in front, they hunt - Eyes on the side, they hide"

• Llamas do not inherently like to be touched. They are especially sensitive about the face and eyes (this is the first line of defenses in spotting danger) and the legs (used to escape the danger)
• The llama is a herd-oriented species and feels insecure when  alone
• In most cases if other llamas are on premise the llama will return to the herd

Things that make a llama panic:

• A young llama taken away from their mother
• A llama taken away from a companion llama and moved to a new home
  where they are alone
• DOGS
• A large group of people trying to catch him
• Do Not chase the Llama
• Do Not Grab for the Llama
• Do Not shout or scream
• NEVER cover the Llamas face

When Rescuing a Llama - SLOW is the KEY and a lot of patience
you must win their trust

• If possible bring another llama to the area and most likely the loose llama will follow 
• Get the llamas attention by speaking softly and if available using a bucket of feed 
• Walk up to the llama with your hands behind your back letting the llama smell you to see that you are not going to hurt it - avoid eye to eye contact at first. 
• MOVE SLOWLY - acting as if "oh!  I'm not really trying to catch you"
• You can use herding polls (long sticks) or persons holding hands to  MOVE SLOWLY and herd to llama to a small area (catch Pen - or corner).
• Slowly move toward the llama,  if you have a rope you can  lay it across the shoulders, DON'T HURRY, take your time, Slowly move the rope to the  top part of the neck for leading.
  DO NOT make the rope tight or the llama will fight you.
• DO NOT reach for the face area
• Have a second person walk slowly behind the llama to help guide him

Once you capture the llama, take the llama to a small area - stall, corral or fenced in area. If it is hot provide cool water, shade and a fan. Llamas die from HEAT STRESS. Provide clean hay. 

Things that can harm the llama in his new area:

• Net hay bags ( the ones with holes) - they can hang themselves
• Leaving halters on
• Being tied - they can break their necks easily
• Bars or anything they can stick their heads through
• Poor fitting halter - can cut off air circulation
• Extension cords - can get wrapped around their necks or legs
• Feed that is in pellet form can cause the llama to choke
• Feed or hay that is molded

Signs of Stress: Stress causes ulcers and can kill

• Humming
• Open-mouthed breathing
• Pacing back and forth
• Ears laid back
• Tail wagging
• Not eating or drinking

What are the basic needs:

• Some type of shelter and pasture
• Water - hay - feed (llama feed is best)
• If hot and humid 90 degrees or more  - and the  animal has a lot of wool.
  Fans to keep them cool - SHADE, and you can hose off legs and the belly
• Shear the llama
• Trim Toenails
• Deworming  (Ivermectin 1cc per 70 pounds) every 30 days  or Dectomax 1cc per 70 pounds every 45 days if you have white tail deer,  safeguard paste once a year, check with your veterinarian for dosage.
  vaccinations (CDT once a year) Please check with your local Veterinarian 
• Males by two years of age have  Fighting Teeth that need to be removed

"Sharing the opinions  and suggestions of many to help our llamas/alpacas"