Baby llama stil missing on Colorado’s Pikes Peak
Colorado Springs, CO Colorado
AP | South West Llama Rescue
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – A llama is loose near the summit of Colorado’s Pikes Peak, and a rescue group says it’s probably a domesticated escapee that has little chance of surviving in the wild.
The llama was first reported about a month ago and has been ranging between the 13,000-foot level and the 14,110-foot summit. It has ventured to within 30 feet of a cog railway that runs to the top, but it retreats when approached.
Southwest Llama Rescue is coordinating efforts to capture the llama before it falls prey to mountain lions, coyotes or the coming winter.
L’illette Vasquez, Colorado coordinator for the group, said llamas are domesticated livestock and don’t have the instincts to survive in the wild.
“It’s a baby raised on somebody’s farm or back yard,” she said.
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Vasquez said the llama may have escaped from a stock trailer on the plains below and made its way up the mountain. Pike National Forest District Ranger Brent Botts said it may have been a pack animal that escaped from hikers.
They say no one has reported a missing llama.
Mike Shealy of nearby Black Forest took one of his own llamas to the mountain last weekend in hopes the roaming llama would see it and come near.
“Llamas are real herd-oriented animals,” he said. “They just will run to the other one. It’s really easy to catch them, if they see each other.”
He didn’t see the other llama but said he plans to return.
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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com
