Stars’ fight to save alpaca Geronimo
THIS adorable alpaca was at the centre of an extraordinary row yesterday over an order for it to be killed.
The Department for Environment had said woolly Geronimo poses a threat because he has tested positive twice for bovine tuberculosis.
But owner Helen Macdonald has refused to carry out the destruction order, which was backed by the High Court.
Now celebrities including actress Joanna Lumley and TV presenter Chris Packham have joined the fight to save Geronimo.
Veterinary nurse Helen, 50, denies claims that her alpaca is a health hazard.
Geronimo’s supporters claim the health results were false because he has no symptoms and is fit and well in isolation at Helen’s farm in Wickwar, Gloucestershire.
Helen said: “It’s morally, ethically, wrong. I want to hear from Environment Secretary George Eustice or Boris Johnson himself.The least they can do is justify their position.
“From today, if I haven’t had him put down, they are now allowed to come here and shoot him.
“But I’ve not agreed to do anything. I’ve asked for them to stop this and do another test.
“They haven’t responded. I haven’t heard anything from them. They know this is wrong and they’re hiding behind this wall.” Joanna said: “When in doubt, don’t. So please spare Geronimo, as there is real doubt hanging over this death sentence.”
Naturalist Chris also called for a reprieve, adding: “They’ll use a warrant, bring the police and force entry to kill a beautiful animal which is not diseased.”
The High Court warrant ordering the eight-year-old’s destruction within the next 30 days took effect yesterday.
Officials at the Department for Environment claim Helen had agreed to have her own vet put Geronimo to sleep.
But she denied the claim yesterday and insisted she would never harm him.
Geronimo gave positive test results when he arrived from New Zealand in 2017. But Helen believes they were caused by injections of the drug tuberculin.
She asked Defra to carry out another test, but was refused and a judge upheld the decision last week.
Duncan Pullar, chief executive of the British Alpaca Society, said: “The system was put in place to test TB in cattle. There will be some false positives and some false negatives.
“It’s frustrating that there are no learning opportunities as to why he is fit and healthy but has a failed test against his
name.”