Llucky Llamas members llove mild-mannered animals at fair

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

CANFIELD — If there were a Canfield Fair 5,000 years ago, llamas would have been the largest domesticated animal on display.

Llamas and alpacas were used as pack animals and a source of food in the Western Hemisphere about 5,000 years ago, before Europeans brought horses and cattle to the “new world,” said Dr. Charlene Arendas, a veterinarian and member of the 4-H group “Llucky Llamas.”

Arendas traveled to Peru in January to observe llamas and alpacas in their native habitats.

“It was great to talk more about the history of the llamas on the trip,” she said. “We had alpaca for dinner one night, but that’s normal in Peru. They are considered food, along with guinea pigs.”

Now Arendas is sharing her knowledge at the llama tent at the Canfield Fair.

There’s a misconception that llamas are mean animals that spit and bite, she said.

Other Llucky Llamas members agree that meanness is a stereotype. Danielle George, 18, said that she has never had a problem with her llama, Mojo.

“They’re really personable and gentle,” George said. “They don’t have top teeth so they can’t even bite you.”

She added that they usually spit at other llamas, not humans.

Llamas are becoming more and more popular as 4-H projects, said Debbie Arendas, adviser for the Llucky Llamas.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com