Llama "Schneeflocke"
Llama "Schneeflocke" was looking for a new herd
“Schneeflocke” was the last of a group of llamas whose former owner had passed away. The son no longer wanted to increase the llama population and at the same time wanted to stop keeping llamas. One by one, the llamas died and “Schneeflocke” (about 17 years old) was the only one left behind. Now the search began for a species-appropriate, new place for “Schneeflocke” to live and lo and behold, the enquiry came to Gut Aiderbichl and we were able to offer “Schneeflocke” a place.
A group of seven llamas has been living in Henndorf for years and now the gelding “Schneeflocke” has joined the herd. Gena, Kira, Maylea, Pia, Samira and Tamka have taken in Schneeflocke in their protected outdoor stable in Henndorf since the outbreak of FMD in Slovakia and Hungary.
Our cloven-hoofed animals have a “break”
Since the outbreak of the disease in neighbouring countries, 180 cloven-hoofed animals have been living on Gut Aiderbichl’s non-public farms in Henndorf to protect them from being infected and killed. The measures in Henndorf affect all pigs, cattle, sheep and goats as well as our two dromedaries and llamas, including, of course, Schneeflocke. Until the all-clear is given by the responsible veterinary office, the animals will remain on the farms that cannot be visited. Visitors can meet all odd-toed ungulates, such as donkeys and ponies, on the estate.
How is "Schneeflocke" doing in the new herd?
When Schneeflocke arrived in Henndorf, we noticed that the gelding is rather shy, but still incredibly curious. When the animal keepers stay near him for a while, he recognises their voices and learns that they are the ones who bring him food and care for his claws – after a while he wants to know who he is dealing with and slowly comes closer. Then you can stroke his silky soft fur.
So perhaps it is also an advantage that “Schneeflocke” lives in the outdoor stable with the group of llamas, can get used to them and wait completely relaxed until the legal measures against the pandemic are lifted again.
While he was the last of the llama group with the last owner, Schneeflocke and his new llama friend Tamka (a gelding who has lived in Henndorf since 2006) are the main “masters” of the five llama mares Gena, Kira, Maylea, Pia and Samira.
Lamas have a life expectancy of fifteen to twenty years. “Schneeflocke” is estimated to be seventeen years old and we wish him many more carefree and healthy years at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf. Let’s hope for all the animals that the disease does not spread and that everything can go back to normal.
I don't think I would find it difficult to live among animals. They are so quiet and frugal. (...)
– Walt Whitman (1819-1892), US-American Dpoet
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
