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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 HAPPY ENDING 
7

Footloose Llama Safe After Odyssey in Rockies

'Homer' spent about a month on the lam

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(Newser) – A llama who went on the lam in the Rocky Mountains is safe and sound after a month on his own. Christened "Homer" by a volunteer rescuer "because of his little odyssey," the 6-month-old has frostbitten ears but is otherwise in decent shape. Theories about the animal's provenance abounded during its weeks on Pikes Peak, during which it tried and failed to befriend a herd of bighorn sheep. "It’s a baby raised on somebody’s farm or back yard," a llama expert told the Colorado Springs Gazette.

With winter looming and the llama community's concerns about predators mounting, a party determined to capture the llama set out on Friday and had little trouble luring the animal. "He was just being a baby and running around down there and thinking about coming to see us," said his rescuer. "I am so happy. I am going to do an e-mail blast and tell everyone, ‘We got him!'"

This smug specimen is not the Pikes Peak runaway--who may yet lose his ears to frostbite.
This smug specimen is not the Pikes Peak runaway--who may yet lose his ears to frostbite.   (©Bobolink)
These llamas live at Machu Picchu, in their native habitat, the Andes Mountains.
These llamas live at Machu Picchu, in their native habitat, the Andes Mountains.   (©jimmyharris)
"Homer" the llama (this isn't him) is safe and sound after about a month on the lam in the Rockies.   (©Mike__Lawrence)
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7 comments
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JoeQ
Oct 4, 09 4:48 PM CDT
Ode to the Llama, by Ogden Nash "The one-L lama, he's a priest The two-L llama, he's a beast And I would bet a silk pajama There isn't any three-L lllama PS: The author's attention has been called to a type of conflagration known as a three-alarmer." Reply
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proud_prude
Oct 4, 09 9:19 PM CDT
Loved it, Joequer. Boucoup thurnzup !!!!!!
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Netstorm2k9
Oct 4, 09 4:53 PM CDT
So a llama, which are indigenous to Peru, which is in the mountains, got lost in the Rockys, and everyone was worried. Sigh. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
RobN
Oct 4, 09 8:36 PM CDT
It's apparently a six month old baby raised in captivity. Hardly a recipe for survival. And yes, people cared and went out of their way to try and help. It's something to encourage, not mock.
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JoeQ
Oct 4, 09 5:09 PM CDT
Actually, netstorm, llamas are very interesting animals, culture-wise. Try reading Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, some time. Reply
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