The world’s oldest llama in captivity is a bucktoothed llama who spends his days in a camp in North Carolina that was established by NASCAR aristocracy. He is known for his ability to provide solace to children who are suffering from chronic illnesses.
Last Monday, the Guinness World Records reported that Whitetop, a llama who enjoys taking selfies and cuddling, had surpassed Dalai Llama in terms of age. Whitetop has been alive for 27 years and more than 250 days.
Although Dalai was living on a ranch in Albuquerque at the time, it was not until 2023, long after his 27th birthday, that he was recognized as the oldest.
It was just two years after race car driver Kyle Petty, the son of NASCAR great Richard Petty, and his family established the Victory Junction camp in remembrance of Petty’s own son, Adam, who was 19 years old when he was killed in a mishap while training for a race in the year 2000.
Whitetop was donated to the Victory Junction camp in 2006.
A free camp that is open throughout the year is located near Randleman, North Carolina, which is approximately 75 miles (121 kilometers) west of Raleigh. The camp spans 84 acres (34 hectares) and does not charge admission.
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Through his laid-back, kind, and compassionate demeanor, Whitetop has garnered a reputation for himself. Billie Davis, who is in charge of the barn at the camp, stated that his preferred method of behavior is to remain motionless while campers pat him.
This helps children feel more at ease and provides them with essential sensory input.
“He really gets to help campers come out of their shell when they interact with him,” she stated. “He can be kind of intimidating at first, but once they come over to him and love on him and pet on him, they just realize how sweet he is.”
Gus-Gus, a tiny highland cow, is one of his closest companions. Gus-Gus has a tendency to forget that Whitetop is a llama and enjoys leaping on him with great enthusiasm.
Whitetop also enjoys posing for photos, rolling around on freshly cut wood chippings, and chewing on hay that has been soaked in water.
“If you try to take a picture of him from the side, he’s not into it,” Davis stated. “He will, like scoot in there and try to get his face from a side profile so that it’s like he’s cheesing.”
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Davis credits Whitetop’s longevity to excellent veterinary care, exercise, and a general love of his work.
The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance states that llas often live for 15 years.
According to Davis, Whitetop is in excellent health overall, although he has developed arthritis in his later years. Additionally, the llama only gets agitated when Gus-Gus and two small donkeys named Jed and Jethro abandon him.
After receiving a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 2006, Stephanie Wilkerson, now 33, attended the camp’s family weekend for the first time.
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She claimed that after feeling a little uneasy around Whitetop at first, she quickly discovered that hugging and petting him helped her feel better.
The camp has begun selling limited-edition T-shirts with Whitetop wearing sunglasses and the phrase “Still Spit’n” in recognition of Whitetop’s recent longevity fame. The camp receives the earnings.
However, Davis stated that Whitetop wants people to understand that not all llamas would spit on you.
“Typically llamas only spit when they are scared, uncomfortable or territorial over something,” she stated. “And he just loves his job so much that he doesn’t do it.”
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