Sweden enlists llamas to fight sheep-killing wolves

[The Straight Story]

Sweden enlists llamas to fight sheep-killing wolves

Animal predator experts in southern Sweden are hoping llamas' natural fighting instincts will help scare off the wolves thought to be responsible for a recent sheep-killing spree in the area.

"There are a growing number of wolves coming to southern Sweden and they're killing farmers' sheep. So we realized that we needed to offer help," Nils Carlsson, expert on predatory management at Skåne's County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen), told The Local.

"So we have been looking at llamas."

While farmers with smaller properties can generally keep wolves at bay by ensuring their fences are strongly secured to the ground, those with larger estates don't have the same luxuries.

http://www.thelocal.se/47232/20130409/#.UWRODzf4KSo

[Mnemosyne]

1. The wolves will regret messing with llamas, spitting mean critters. nt

[markiv]

2. that's where the old expression 'fight wolves with llamas'

comes from

[BlackHoleSon]

3. Llamas are badass

They use their front legs like spears, with their split hooves the tip.
Our dogs learned quickly to give them a WIDE berth.

[joeybee12]

4. I wonder why the wolves are coming so close...

Hopefully not suffering a loss of habitat.

That said, I like this way of containing instead of the good-ole-USofA shoot to kill idiocy

[tabasco]

5. Had 'em here in W.Va. for a long time

to protect sheep from coyotes.

[Lasher]

7. I have a neighbor who raises alpacas.

He's kept a couple of llamas for years, to protect the alpacas from the coyotes and dogs.

[Vogon_Glory]

6. Probably An Excellent Idea, Except That I Keep Remembering

Probably an excellent idea, except that I keep remembering the opening titles to Mony Python and the Holy Grail.

Llama bites can be nasti.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Før sure ... but nøt as nasti as a møøse bite

Ask my dentist - and see #10 ...

[enlightenment]

8. And they're using alpaca to protect lambs

in England. Great little video here - check out the alpaca's expression at the end, when the reporter is holding a lamb . . . I hope the reporter was quick on his feet, because that alpaca was taking his duties very seriously. (sorry I don't know how to embed video).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-22072730

[Erose999]

9. Here in GA they use donkeys to protect cattle herds from coyotes.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Llamas? Sweden? A møøse once bit my sister ...

Nø reali!