Berserk or Aberrant Behavior Syndrome
What Are We Talking About?
Page 2
Why?
What in the world would have brought her to this behavior? What might bring any llama or alpaca to behave this way? The answer seems much more simple than one might expect and it is up to us – the human part of the equation – to make the difference. It begins at a very young age through improper and abnormal handling and socialization by humans. For some time, bottle-feeding a baby appeared the most common thought for the development of ABS or berserk. It is certainly a common path to these unpleasant and often seriously dangerous behaviors but it is not the bottle per se – it is the inappropriate human behavior while feeding with a bottle.
What is inappropriate human behavior in relation to llamas and alpacas? It is important to have a basic understanding of llama and alpaca behavior in order to understand how we influence and encourage their behavior – or not. We must recognize them as prey animals. We must recognize, appreciate and heed the warning signs. Some llamas and alpacas simply “hit the ground” very friendly. Some become head strong in this direction after extensive human contact as the result of needed medical intervention. Both are potential candidates for the development of more serious abnormal behaviors if not handled appropriately. Candidates can be those youngsters who constantly invade your personal space. They are the ones who will nibble at your clothing or shoes. They might run up to you when you enter their area and seem to prefer your company to that of the herd. They tend to enjoy being touched and will place their face right into yours. These behaviors are often accompanied with gurgling, an orgling sound, hums and/or the tail curled up over the back or posturing in a submissive crouch. While certainly cute enough to command our attention, it can be a dangerous prelude.
Raising a single baby without the companionship of other llamas or alpacas provides strong potential for the development of ABS or even berserk behaviors. Seriously consider gelding those animals who exhibit these behaviors. While there is a great deal of controversy as to the appropriate age to geld, the question remains: Is it better to look at the potential of them becoming taller or perhaps breaking down in the pasterns in later years or to the potential of becoming difficult or perhaps seriously dangerous around the age of two?
How We Respond To Their Behavior Is Critical
Set boundaries. Do not allow them to crowd into your personal space, get into your face or bump you. Do not allow them to jump up or rear up at you. Do not allow them to nibble at your clothing or shoes. Do not sell or buy a single young llama or alpaca unless there are other llamas and alpacas where they will live. While there are times when extended human intervention is absolutely necessary, always conduct yourself in a business like manner. Do not spend time holding and coddling and do not bring them into the house to live with you. Do not take babies away from their mothers and bottle feed in attempt to make them “friendly.” There are a number of ways to handle and train them that can provide for a strong and bonding relationship without the potential of such dire consequences. Make sure that anyone who would come in contact with your particularly precocious or aggressive llama or alpaca follows the same training and boundary rules. Be consistent. Young llamas and alpacas that are used for PR – birthday parties, nursing home visitation, petting zoos and/or fair displays – often become “suddenly” difficult around the age of two. It is not as sudden as it might appear. There were behavioral cues all along which simply went unnoticed. Keep the human contact with these particular animals to a minimum. It is often a very good lesson for them to be housed with peers or even older animals that will teach them how to behave as a llama or alpaca. While it is important to be mindful of their safety, this is often a very good choice in behavior modification.
What did I discover about Madame Currie’s history? She was taken from her mother at a very young age, bottle fed and raised up amidst a group of girls living together while going to school at Washington State University. How “cute” and unique was that? She had no contact with any other llamas. She was basically one of the “college girls” and lived with them in the house. But… she grew up and from there she bounced from place to place as a single llama being passed from one “home” to the next until she came to live with us. No one felt to be honest about her behavior. No one felt to say that the next owner should be careful. Just a silent string of human injuries as each new owner got rid of her just as fast as they could. Sad…
Page ....1 2 3....Next page
 Return to top of page |
