An escaped llama has evaded rescuers for two days after being discovered alone in an Aberdeenshire field. Officers from the Scottish SPCA were called to an area of land near the village of New Pitsligo on Thursday, June 22, after the South American mammal was spotted at the back of a property.
But despite the team trying to help the wooly creature, the "nervous" llama dodged all attempts to contain it and they were forced to leave it in the 20-acre field. They returned on Friday for a second rescue bid, but this also proved fruitless.
The SSPCA have now launched an appeal to try and trace the animal's owner so it can be returned to them safely. They have been liaising with locals but have so far been unable to find them.
The experts are keen to help the alpaca as soon as possible as they believe it is distressed by being alone. They are renowned for being social animals and tend to stay in herds, so it is unusual for one to be cut off from its fellows.
Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer, Debbie Gibson, said: “We received a call to our animal helpline about a llama running around a 20-acre field at the back of a property near new Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire. We went out to investigate and found the llama but they were very nervous and difficult to catch.
“We have been in touch with the locals in the area to try and identify the owner but we have had no luck so far. We have been back out today and the llama is still in the field.
"Llamas are herd animals so they will likely be quite stressed out by being in the field alone. We would like to try and find their owner in the hope they can assist us with catching them. If anyone recognises this llama, they should call our confidential helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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