Welcome to the website of the British Llama Society (BLS)
Llamas are members of the South American camelid family and are mostly found in the high altiplano regions of the Andes in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. They are the domesticated cousin of the wild guanaco and are extensively used by the Andean people and in the past by the Incas, as beasts of burden, for food, for fibre and their hides used as leather. The British Llama Society has been set up to promote all aspects of llama and Guanaco ownership - good husbandry, breeding, trekking, driving, showing and much more. It publishes a quarterly magazine, Llama Llink.
Very importantly it operates a registration system for llamas, guanacos, vicunas and camels; an important facility in these days of increasing regulation. It is also affiliated to British Camelids Ltd, a charity which promotes the responsible ownership of all camelids in the UK.
The Society brings together a lively community of people all of whom have been captivated by these fascinating animals. We operate a forum for all things llama related and within the forum is a special members-only area for members of the BLS.
Below you can find out all about our recent news and events!
We encourage you to register to take part in the forums, although it is possible to chat about llamas in both the guest and members areas Yes there are probably links to the llama song, llama pictures, llama uk, llamas in hats, and llama duck in here too, but that is the magic of a forum! BLS members need to fill in their BLS number when applying to grant access to the members only section of the forum, where files and other discussions are available.Guanaco, Alpaca and Camels are all camelids, but we specialise in llamas here. the british alpaca society have their own forum. vicuna and guanacos are looked after by them. You can also visit the official home of http://www.britishllamasociety.org The British Llama SocietyAlpaca or llama? llama definitely. not alpaca. llamas do need a headcollar
Annual General Meeting
Thu, Apr 11 2013 03:42
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The Chairmans report and ancillary reports are available for members to read within the Minutes and Meetings section of the Members area of the Forum.
It's all done by Mirrors !
Sat, Apr 6 2013 03:32
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Member of BLS, Abigail Tansley, recently completed research into sentience and awareness ability of Llamas. Read her full article by clicking here
BBC’s “Countryfile” profiles Golden Valley Llamas
Tue, Mar 19 2013 09:18
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There is always a mixture of excitement and fear when a television crew descends. It is a really good excuse to tidy up the yard, sort the barn and hyper train up the llamas. “Countryfile” decided they wanted us to be part of their Borderlands programme, it has huge viewing figures and we wanted to do right by our species! We know we will be a bit of a joke item, llamas always
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wed, Mar 13 2013 09:43
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Formal Notice and the Agenda for the meeting to be held Sunday 7th April 2013 at 11.00 am at The Jersey Pavilion,The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh can be found in the members area of the Forum. All interested llama owners (or potential llama owners !) and persons with an interest in llama welfare are invited to attend.
FINDING THE OLDEST LLAMA IN THE UK !
Mon, Feb 11 2013 11:11
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A recent television programme about a Zoo park in Wales told the story of an elderly llama who subsequently died. The zoo keeper commentated that the llama’s cria which was approximately 12 months old looked on anxiously as his mother was in difficulties. It was said that the deceased llama was 28 years old !The British Llama Society maintains a register of Llamas in the UK together with vicunas,
AN INVITATION TO LLAMAS
Mon, Feb 4 2013 12:59
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LLAMAS ARE INVITED TO THE ALPACA NATIONAL SHOW to be held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Buckinghamshire on Saturday and Sunday the 11th and 12th May.The British Alpaca Society will be holding their National Show at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre ( www.buryfarmestates.co.uk ). The event is expected to draw approx 1,000 members of the general public each day attracted by the Indoor Shopping Village,
Health and Welfare Bulletin 45 : Liver fluke and Winter Update
Wed, Jan 23 2013 10:43
Claire Whitehead, President of BVCS, has asked us to distribute the following warning about Liver Fluke:As with many of the gastrointestinal parasites that affect camelids (eg Haemonchus, the “barber pole worm”), the tepid wet summer and autumn that we had in 2012 appears to have allowed liver fluke to flourish as well. This parasite loves wet ground. Although it may seem odd to talk
2012 International Camelid Health Conference
Mon, Jan 21 2013 10:22
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A Synopsis of the 2012 Conference for Veterinarians and UK Owners and Breeders is available within the Health and Welfare section of the website.
Bella the Bionic Llama
Tue, Dec 4 2012 02:49
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Meet Bella - the bionic llama.When she got in to an accident, they decided they could rebuild her – they had the technology.And that’s when Michael Carlson, a prosthetist with Hanger Clinic stepped in.And now the three-legged llama from Newcastle, California, is standing on her own feet once more. Well, mostly.The dire llama crises was averted when she got a new rear limb.A specialist
BVCS Annual Owners Conference 2012
Fri, Nov 23 2012 09:50
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The British Veterinary Camelid Society held its annual conference in Newbury over the last weekend of October and as a very useful add-on incorporated a whole day’s talks and presentations for the camelid owner.Vets Jane Vaughan, Claire Whitehead and Karin Mueller presented seven illustrated and hugely informative talks to an audience of 40 British alpaca and llama owners.Jane Vaughan performs
Seasonal guidance notes
Mon, Oct 8 2012 11:02
| Health Bulletin
This is the time of year when a few reminders don't go amiss: 1.If you are thinking about re-seeding any of your grazing land, do consider plants that have a deep rooting system. They hugely increase the ability of the plants to extract nutrients from the soil at depth. The improve the soil condition by penetrating chalk and rock to a great depth. When the soil dries out, the plants that keep
TB - Defra Policy
Fri, Sep 28 2012 10:32
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See Health and Welfare to view an open letter from Defra TB Policy to British Llama Society and British Alpaca Society and all keepers of South American Camelids in England.
Schmallenberg Virus update
Fri, Sep 21 2012 10:54
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Recently completed research by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the Institute for Animal Health (AH) has confirmed that Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) is again circulating in the UK, and it appears that the virus has overwintered in infected insects (midge and possibly mosquitoes). This means that susceptible animals will be at risk of infection from infected midges for the rest of the
Annual Society Show at Newbury
Thu, Sep 20 2012 10:28
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Vist our gallery to see images from the Newbury Show. The British Llama Society annual show was held at the Royal Berkshire Show at Newbury on 15-16 September.
Health and Welfaire Bulletin No. 41 - Parasite Warning
Wed, Sep 5 2012 11:02
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Claire Whitehead, President of the British Camelid Veterinary Society has issued the following warning:Parasites WarningIt's a Perfect Time for Parasites - BEWARE!! We have recently been seeing quite a few farms affected by gastrointestinal parasitism. The problem is mostly due to Haemonchus, the so-called Barber's Pole worm because of the appearance of the adult worms. This worm is a blood-sucker:
LLAMAS AND GARDEN PARTIES !
Tue, Aug 28 2012 10:04
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A Meet and Greet a Llama garden party recently raised £707 to support Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. Hard to tell who enjoyed the day most - the party folk or the Llamas !!
Health and Welfare Bulletin No.40
Tue, Aug 28 2012 09:52
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BLUETONGUE VACCINATION UPDATE Please note that the Bluetongue Scottish Order comes into force on 24 September 2012 but similar legislation will come into force in England today, 24 August 2012 and Wales soon after.Unless you are exporting animals when the legislation may be different, BLS is not recommending that you vaccinate your animals unless another outbreak occurs. The different
GUARD LLAMAS in the NEWS
Tue, Aug 7 2012 01:52
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Articles have recently appeared in both the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian (links below ) referring to the use of “aggressive” llamas being used to guard farm property.To Llama owners, these articles were read with interest and no little amazement about the claimed use of “aggressive” llamas. Llamas are in fact very peaceful animals and unless very badly handled pose little
JOIN THE SOCIETY
Tue, May 22 2012 09:43
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Members of the Society enjoy access to a wealth of information and support from other owners. A magazine is issued quarterly to members only. Email Editor@BritishLlamaSociety.org to request a sample back copy of our magazine - we will send you a pdf and hope you will be so impressed you go to the "Join the BLS" page here on the website and apply for membership !!
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With thanks to Axel Bührmann, orazal, lucianvenutian, Veronique Debord, quinn.anya for creative commons use of pictures
