Earlier today, two brave llamas escaped from their homes in Arizona and had a grand time romping through Sun City while throngs of people tried to catch them.
The white llama and the black llama ran through the city, across roads, and almost onto a highway before they were caught by a man in the back of a pickup truck with a lasso. During their brief moment of freedom, the llamas were chased by many, many people. The llamas seemed very stressed, as if they were not enjoying their vacation at all.
A former zookeeper weighed in on Twitter about how poorly he thought the llama chase was conducted:
Rather than trying to physically grab the llamas, authorities should be trying to contain them. Herd them into a yard.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 At this point, the animals are pretty worked up, giving them 10 mins to calm down without approaching them would do wonders.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 The more stressed they get, the larger their flight distance. Only way to reduce that distance is to let them calm down.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 And when it does come time to move in on them, it should be people that are actually willing to grab the animals.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 The more stressed they get, the larger their flight distance. Only way to reduce that distance is to let them calm down.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 Once the animals are grabbed, expect to be kicked, pushed, and spit on.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 They’re llamas, nothing to be concerned about. There shouldn’t be a rush in this situation. Back off, give them time. It may take an hour.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 During animal escapes, it’s common for inexperienced people to rush right in as if its a race. Chasing does no good, it only worsens situat.
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 In the end, the llamas were captured not by grabbing, but by lasso.
Even Brown was impressed:
INCREDIBLE LASSO WORK BY DUDES IN TRUCK! pic.twitter.com/epcQ5UzrIf
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) February 26, 2015 
