Auckland’s Ambury Farm uses guard llamas to protect lambs from roaming dogs

Ken, Drick and Lamar are the three llamas employed to guard sheep on Ambury Farm. Photo / RNZ / Ke-Xin Li

By Ke-Xin Li of RNZ

Overseas research suggests llamas can help fend off predators like dogs, coyotes and dingoes – so the farm team put it to the test.

On a sunny weekday at lunchtime, Ken, Drick and Lamar are working hard – grazing on grass and occasionally lifting their heads to check the surroundings.

But don’t be fooled by their languid behaviour: they’re actually top-notch security guards.

Park ranger Millie Law from Auckland Council’s Ambury Regional Park is in charge of looking after them.

“We got these llamas to solve a problem about roaming dogs mauling sheep,” she said.

“We had quite a few attacks on our sheep, and we were discussing what we could do to try and mitigate that risk.”

Compared with their country counterparts, animals on urban farms like Ambury are more at risk from domestic dog attacks.

Last year, Auckland Council received 2311 complaints about dogs attacking or being aggressive towards other animals.

One of its own farms, Puhinui Reserve, lost 142 lambs to three roaming dogs.

When Law and her team heard about overseas research suggesting llamas could help fend off predators like dogs, coyotes and dingoes, they decided to test it out.

They sourced brothers Ken, Drick and Lamar from a llama farm down south.

“We wanted llamas who weren’t raised by hand, because that means they are very people-oriented.

“We wanted llamas who are used to being in the paddock just doing their own thing.”

And since the trio’s arrival at Ambury a year ago, there haven’t been any attacks.

“A colleague’s dogs came and were shifting sheep nearby.

“The llamas saw them from across the fence and came up and galloped along the fence, looking quite agitated.

“They took all of the sheep to a corner and just stood there and watched until the strange dogs were out of their area.

“So that was quite unexpected. I didn’t know how effective they’d be.”

Park ranger Millie Law has been looking after the llamas. Photo / RNZ / Ke-Xin Li

Now 3 years old, the brothers are guardians to about 600 lambs.

Following the successful trial, the council has employed another three llamas at Puhinui Reserve.

While Ken, Drick and Lamar take care of the lambs, Law and her team take care of them.

The first task was to find appropriate names for the llamas.

During a brainstorming session at the coffee table, Law fought hard for her pitch.

“Well, I wanted to call them Samwise, Pippin and Merry, but we couldn’t get that across the board.

“Not too many Lord of the Rings fans.”

Llamas Ken, Drick and Lamar on the job guarding sheep on Ambury Farm. Photo / RNZ / Ke-Xin Li

At the end, the group unanimously agreed on the set of names inspired by the pop star Kendrick Lamar.

Law said the brothers are easy to care for, but some grooming tasks are interesting.

“They have the funniest feet you’ve ever seen.

“If you want to see something that looks like a dinosaur, look up llama’s feet.”

While she received tips from their original owner, the experienced ranger also had to do some learning herself.

“I looked up a lot of YouTube videos about how to trim a llama’s foot.”

Unlike their country counterparts, animals on urban farms like Ambury are more at risk from domestic dog attacks. Photo / RNZ / Ke-Xin Li

And as with with everything, the first time is always a surprise.

“I think both me and the llamas were surprised by the situation.

“They were like, oh! But they’re very forgiving, very curious creatures.”

Ken has a white coat, Drick is light brown, and Lamar has a dark coat.

Ken is “grumpier”, Drick is currently the “bossiest” and Lamar is the “cheeky little brother”.

And for those who are keen to meet the trio, Law has a few words of advice.

“The best way to interact with the more farmed animals – the ones that aren’t in the pet area – is just quietly.

“You can watch them from a short distance, but if they move away from you, just let them go.

“Never chase any animals here, please.”

– RNZ