A helpful llama is delivering food parcels to people in Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales.
Max, as he is named, has been trotting down the lanes around Llandissilio to deliver provisions and essential items to locals, many of whom are categorised as being at high risk from coronavirus, and are social distancing where possible.
While Max has normally been used to taking members of the public on llama treks several times a week, his utility as a pack animal has been repurposed during lockdown – much to the locals’ delight.
“Shopping in the old days was miserable, wasn’t it,” one man told the BBC. “It’s great fun these days.”
“Some roads in the valley can be difficult to reach by vehicle, so llama delivery makes an excellent eco-friendly alternative,” Matt Yorke of Pembrokeshire Llamas told ITV.
“The feedback from residents has been extremely positive. Everyone says it’s a huge improvement on traditional food shopping.
“It’s great exercise, great fun and useful to residents.”
He added: “This is a great way to keep him trained and his mind stimulated whilst the lockdown continues.”
The domesticated camelids, which originally come from South America, have been used as pack animals for millennia and can carry about 25 to 30 per cent of their body weight for 5 – 8 miles.
Repurposing llamas is nothing new for Pembroke Llamas, who also have llamas available for weddings, llamas for hen dos, and llamas for corporate events, their website states.
