Pikes Peak's Homer

	Lone Llama on Pikes Peak Home \| Ordering \| Articles \| Clinics \| Llamas for Sale \| Map \| Services	Bobra B. Goldsmith, Owner Rocky Mountain Llamas 7202 North 45th Street Longmont, CO 80503-8844 303.530.5575 ~ 720.306.3691 fax

	Mon., 10/12/2009 Update "Pikes Peak Homer," which will be his registered name, is in great condition. He was initially examined by a vet as soon as Tracy duCharme got him off the mountain, and it looked like the frostbite would not mean the loss of his ears. That's still the case at his 10-day exam prior to be released from quarantine into a pasture with other young males. As you might imagine, Homer was ecstatic to be in amongst his kind, but finds particular pleasure in chasing the fascinating barn cats that wander through! At this point, it is undecided as to whether the owners will reclaim him--because of the predation in the Colorado Springs home, they got rid of their other llamas--or if he'll remain with Tracy, his rescuer. Sun., 10/04/2009 Owner Found! After discovering the carcass of one of her female llamas on August 15, obviously the result of mountain lion predation, Theresa Kabot had to leave town for a few weeks on a business trip. While away, she read about the "Lone Llama on Pikes Peak" and contacted one of the rescuers, Marlice Van Zeldt. After ensuring that this was indeed the youngster that had been missing since his dam's death, Marlice notified Tracy duCharme, who had actually found the llama on Friday and has him at her farm. Just the day before, Tracy's vet had given the boy a clean bill of health pending results of the fecal test, and gave a very optimistic report that the boy might not lose his ears to frostbite. "Kramer" is a little over a year old and very small for his size, as was his dam. He's healthy, happy now at Tracy's, and will soon be going home. An astonishingly happy ending for a tale that might have gone horribly wrong at any time! Fri., 10/02/2009 RESCUED!! Click here for the full story Mon., 09/28/2009: Due to road closures, we were unable to effect the rescue as planned on Sunday. Roads may open up by Monday afternoon. However, until the llama is actually spotted again--it hasn't been seen for two days now--no specific plans can be made. Continuing to hope for good weather over the next few days, and maybe the llama will return to its previous stomping grounds. Still no information about the owner(s). To those of you who have asked, "What's the big deal? Aren't llamas used to living in the mountains?" Llamas have been domesticated for over 6000 years. That's a long time away from their wild ancestry and innate instincts for survival. Like any domestic animal, released into the wild, it is not accustomed to, or prepared for, the environment and the weather conditions, nor does it have the relative safety of living within a herd. Llamas like this one are easy fodder for mountain lions and bears. We'd very much like to prevent that particular end for this lovely animal. Sat., 09/26/2009: Spoke briefly with Spencer Wren, the Cog GM, who had been up to the summit today. He said the roads will be closed tomorrow, and they didn't see the llama at all today. There's a cold batch coming in on Monday, but no wetness is expected. The following few days should be warmer and sunny. Ranger Barb Bailey is very hopeful that the llama is just hunkered down somewhere. He's been above the tree line, so predators haven't been an issue... yet. The storm may have driven him lower to the treeline, which would put it in higher risk predation. At any rate, both she and the railway folks are keeping an eye out for him. The plan now is to wait until they spot the llama, and then start this all over. When the llama is again located and we can get to the summit, we'll send out word. At that point, we'll make plans to get to the top, assuming that's still the best spot, and work our way down. So if you're the praying sort, or if you light candles, cross fingers and toes, or offer oblations to whatever Powers That Be, now would be a good time. More news as it comes in... Fri., 09.25.2009: I was recently notified of a llama spotted between Windy Point and the summit of Pikes Peak, in the Colorado Springs and Manitou areas of Colorado. The llama was first seen on Sept. 3, and has been hanging around the Cog Railroad, sometimes visible from the highway. It's tried to integrate with a flock of Big Horn Sheep who were less than welcoming. I'm putting together a rescue party for Sunday, Sept. 27, weather and terrain conditions permitting. The llama is apparently roaming a two-mile stretch between Windy Point and the summit. There are large drifts, but some members of RMLA with packing experience will be taking llamas up to that area, again assuming we can get in, hoping to lure and capture this guy/gal. We've checked with area owners and RMLA members, as well as the sherriff's department. No one has claimed or reported this animal missing. If you recognize it, please contact me asap! L'illette Vasquez - Southwest/Southeast Llama Rescues - RMLA Rescue Committee - LANA Lifeline Committee L'illy Llamas at Rocky Mt. Llamas 7202 North 45th Street Longmont CO 80503-8844 (720) 306.3691 fax LlamaRescue@lillette.net .
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Rocky Mountain Llamas 7202 N 45th Street Longmont, CO 80503-8844 USA Phone: 303-530-5575 ~ Fax: 720-306-3691 E-mail: questions@rockymtllamas.com

Mon., 10/12/2009 Update
"Pikes Peak Homer," which will be his registered name, is in great condition. He was initially examined by a vet as soon as Tracy duCharme got him off the mountain, and it looked like the frostbite would not mean the loss of his ears. That's still the case at his 10-day exam prior to be released from quarantine into a pasture with other young males. As you might imagine, Homer was ecstatic to be in amongst his kind, but finds particular pleasure in chasing the fascinating barn cats that wander through! At this point, it is undecided as to whether the owners will reclaim him--because of the predation in the Colorado Springs home, they got rid of their other llamas--or if he'll remain with Tracy, his rescuer.

Sun., 10/04/2009 Owner Found!
After discovering the carcass of one of her female llamas on August 15, obviously the result of mountain lion predation, Theresa Kabot had to leave town for a few weeks on a business trip. While away, she read about the "Lone Llama on Pikes Peak" and contacted one of the rescuers, Marlice Van Zeldt. After ensuring that this was indeed the youngster that had been missing since his dam's death, Marlice notified Tracy duCharme, who had actually found the llama on Friday and has him at her farm.

Just the day before, Tracy's vet had given the boy a clean bill of health pending results of the fecal test, and gave a very optimistic report that the boy might not lose his ears to frostbite.

"Kramer" is a little over a year old and very small for his size, as was his dam. He's healthy, happy now at Tracy's, and will soon be going home. An astonishingly happy ending for a tale that might have gone horribly wrong at any time!

Fri., 10/02/2009 RESCUED!!
Click here for the full story

Mon., 09/28/2009:
Due to road closures, we were unable to effect the rescue as planned on Sunday. Roads may open up by Monday afternoon. However, until the llama is actually spotted again--it hasn't been seen for two days now--no specific plans can be made. Continuing to hope for good weather over the next few days, and maybe the llama will return to its previous stomping grounds.

Still no information about the owner(s).

To those of you who have asked, "What's the big deal? Aren't llamas used to living in the mountains?"
Llamas have been domesticated for over 6000 years. That's a long time away from their wild ancestry and innate instincts for survival. Like any domestic animal, released into the wild, it is not accustomed to, or prepared for, the environment and the weather conditions, nor does it have the relative safety of living within a herd. Llamas like this one are easy fodder for mountain lions and bears. We'd very much like to prevent that particular end for this lovely animal.

Sat., 09/26/2009:
Spoke briefly with Spencer Wren, the Cog GM, who had been up to the summit today. He said the roads will be closed tomorrow, and they didn't see the llama at all today. There's a cold batch coming in on Monday, but no wetness is expected. The following few days should be warmer and sunny.

Ranger Barb Bailey is very hopeful that the llama is just hunkered down somewhere. He's been above the tree line, so predators haven't been an issue... yet. The storm may have driven him lower to the treeline, which would put it in higher risk predation. At any rate, both she and the railway folks are keeping an eye out for him.

The plan now is to wait until they spot the llama, and then start this all over. When the llama is again located and we can get to the summit, we'll send out word. At that point, we'll make plans to get to the top, assuming that's still the best spot, and work our way down.

So if you're the praying sort, or if you light candles, cross fingers and toes, or offer oblations to whatever Powers That Be, now would be a good time.

More news as it comes in...

Fri., 09.25.2009:
I was recently notified of a llama spotted between Windy Point and the summit of Pikes Peak, in the Colorado Springs and Manitou areas of Colorado. The llama was first seen on Sept. 3, and has been hanging around the Cog Railroad, sometimes visible from the highway. It's tried to integrate with a flock of Big Horn Sheep who were less than welcoming. I'm putting together a rescue party for Sunday, Sept. 27, weather and terrain conditions permitting.

The llama is apparently roaming a two-mile stretch between Windy Point and the summit. There are large drifts, but some members of RMLA with packing experience will be taking llamas up to that area, again assuming we can get in, hoping to lure and capture this guy/gal.

We've checked with area owners and RMLA members, as well as the sherriff's department. No one has claimed or reported this animal missing. If you recognize it, please contact me asap!

L'illette Vasquez
- Southwest/Southeast Llama Rescues
- RMLA Rescue Committee
- LANA Lifeline Committee
L'illy Llamas at Rocky Mt. Llamas
7202 North 45th Street
Longmont CO 80503-8844
(720) 306.3691 fax
LlamaRescue@lillette.net