Two tests have confirmed it: Alpaca “Geronimo” is infected with the contagious bovine tuberculosis. Despite protests from the owner and her supporters, the animal is now to be killed.
London – A British court has now issued a final death sentence for the sick alpaca “Geronimo”: The judge responsible at the London High Court refused on Wednesday to issue an injunction that would have spared the animal again.
The fate of the alpaca, which tested positive twice for contagious bovine tuberculosis, had recently made headlines beyond England. The British Ministry of the Environment had the animal killed to prevent further disease. The owner Helen Macdonald, however, is of the opinion that the tests are unreliable and considers “Geronimo” to be healthy.
At their farm in the western English village of Wickwar, around 30 alpaca breeders, residents and activists had recently come together to guard “Geronimo” around the clock. The supporters wanted to oppose the killing squad for the alpaca – if necessary with roadblocks and barricades.
According to the PA news agency, the Environment Ministry no longer wanted to carry out the killing on Wednesday. They want to give the owner the opportunity to prepare for it.
Alpacas originally come from the South American Andes. But now the small camels are bred in Europe. In Germany, too, alpaca hikes and vacations on alpaca farms are no longer uncommon. dpa
