14 DAY TRIAL // Officials handling a Merseyside nature park, in the United Kingdom, decided to enlist the help of two llamas in order to protect the eggs and chicks of wading birds. The species is endangered, and scientists want to keep them safe from attacks of predators such as foxes. In an unusual decision, the role of guard dogs was given to llamas, which are very peaceful and gentle creatures when not threatened. However, when they feel in danger, they become highly aggressive, the BBC News reports.
Guard llamas are known to run towards predators such as coyotes, foxes and dogs, and chase, kick, or paw at them. In South American countries, the animals are used to protect herd sheep, alpacas and even goats, and they are very efficient at what they do. Park officials in Merseyside hope that the two llamas selected for the job, called Willy and Jack, will be able to repeat the same performances in protecting the endangered bird species from natural threats. They will be delivered to the Marshside reserve, in Southport, shortly.
This is not the first time various species have been assigned on guard duties to protect other, endangered species. At the beginning of 2009, two Maremmas sheepdogs were brought to a small fairy penguin colony in Australia's Middle Island, to protect the small creatures from foxes and wild dogs. The experiment succeeded, and many reserve officials are looking to emulate that success in their own establishments. The South American llamas were “recruited” for the job by the UK Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
“Llamas are territorial and should chase away animals like foxes that can eat lapwing and redshank eggs and chicks. We hope it will make a difference to how successful the birds are this year. It is particularly important that they do well as the populations of these breeding birds are threatened in the UK, so we will be monitoring the outcome of this experiment carefully,” says the RSPB Marshside warden, Graham Clarkson. The officials are basically relying on the rather erratic behavior of llamas, which they hope will deter and confuse predators. The camelids make groaning noises, attack and spit at each other or predators when restless, nervous or frightened.