The Shuswap香蕉视频直播檚 largest llama residence is remaining settled in their newest home and were able to escape evacuation due to wildfire.
The Llama Sanctuary had a busy 2023, having had to move the herd of over 35 llamas and alpacas, required supplies and equipment and the animals香蕉视频直播� caretakers and sanctuary owners, David Chapman and Lynne Milsom, three times due to evictions and unsuitable arrangements.
Read more:
Read more:
Read more:
The sanctuary is now working hard to build a larger winter barn and add more than 10,000 feet of fencing to keep llamas from jumping, as well as complete as much rebuilding as possible before harsh weather sets in. The Columbia Shuswap Regional District recently provided a grant of $1,500 to the sanctuary for fencing, which was purchased at a discount from Peavey Mart in Salmon Arm.
The sanctuary香蕉视频直播檚 owners are grateful they haven香蕉视频直播檛 been in immediate danger from the Bush Creek East wildfire and weren香蕉视频直播檛 ordered to evacuate from their property at Recline Ridge EcoPark in Tappen. Chapman said they have made the decision not to evacuate if the fire threatens them further, as a move would be too challenging without a place lined up to transfer the llamas to.
香蕉视频直播淲e were on alert; the fires were just a couple miles over Notch Hill,香蕉视频直播� said Chapman. 香蕉视频直播淏ut we decided we would not move, it香蕉视频直播檚 too big and too dangerous to move all the animals.香蕉视频直播�
The sanctuary is now on a property with a built-in firefighting system set up, leftover from an industry that used to operate on the land, said Chapman. A 300,000 gallon water system is in place because of the work being done at the EcoPark. Equipment like a tractor with a firefighting pump was available for fighting any spot-sized grass fires that may have sparked, and since they felt prepared, the sanctuary was able to help others evacuate and bring animals in need onto their property.
香蕉视频直播淥ne of the directors from the Regional District of North Okanagan said we fall into the category of dairy farms, in terms of evacuation, you cannot evacuate a whole dairy farm,香蕉视频直播� said Chapman. 香蕉视频直播淵ou have to have the facilities to keep milking the cows, so dairy farms themselves introduce their own fighting equipment, they get assistance and we really fall into that once you get to a certain number of animals.香蕉视频直播�
While Chapman said the sanctuary didn香蕉视频直播檛 get any extra protection from the regional district, they did use neighbours香蕉视频直播� and friends香蕉视频直播� equipment.
Chapman and Milsom hosted evacuees in a spare RV and were able to take in other camelids and some horses.
香蕉视频直播淲e were able to offer assistance, which is what we香蕉视频直播檝e always done. It香蕉视频直播檚 an open gate policy.香蕉视频直播�
Tours are available year-round at the sanctuary, and Chapman said one of his favourites is when social care groups, including for those living with autism and retirement home groups, come to have llama interactions. There is work being done to best accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility issues, he said, and these visits always end up with lots of laughs.
香蕉视频直播淭he llamas will accept a carrot from anyone, they see no difference.香蕉视频直播�
Looking ahead, Chapman is excited for what the next year will bring, including welcoming more llamas once SPCA investigations are complete and looking to expand into rescuing cats, building a safe space in the barn for them and opening a possible meeting space cat caf茅.
Tours can be booked by calling
Read more:
rebecca.willson@saobserver.net
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily .
