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There may be drama in the llama community as a New Mexico animal has just driven out a creature to become the world’s oldest living llama.
Dalai Llama celebrated his 27th birthday over the weekend, officially surpassing the current Guinness World Record holder at 26 and surpassing the typical lifespan of a llama, which is about 20 years.
Dalai’s owners, the Strait family of Albuquerque, have already begun the application process to put it in the record books. The previous incumbent, Rapper, a llama in Olympia, Washington, was 26 years and 258 days old at the time of the Certification.
This is Dalai Llama who celebrated his 27th birthday over the weekend.
The family threw a full birthday party for Dalai and invited his friends to celebrate.
The one-eyed llama is owned by Andrew Thomas and Kee Straits, along with their daughter Samibah ‘Sami’ Straits.
The family, who told local media that Dalai is “definitely a part of” their family, threw a party for the llama on Saturday and even invited some of his friends.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, guests ate ribs, burgers and chocolate cake, donning party hats and decorations.
Dalai, however, ate a personal alfalfa ‘cake’ with candles reading ’27’.
Also in attendance was Dalai’s best friend Gelato, a Nigerian dwarf goat.
Thomas said that they are so close that Gelato cries when Dalai leaves the pen.
The couple also sleep together, the owner said.
“It’s the cutest thing,” Thomas told the Journal.
“This flame unites everyone,” said Shannon Fleg, a family friend of Thomas and Straits who attended the party. Fleg brought a sign and a carton of apples as a present.
This band of colored beads calls her worse on the day of her party
Party-goers had the chance to ‘play’ with Dalai
The family, who told local media that Dalai is “definitely a part of” their family, threw a party for the llama on Saturday and even invited some of his friends.
Say cheese! Dalai is now the oldest living llama in captivity
Kee Strait (left) and Andrew Thomas (right) with Dalai Llama
The Straits have owned Dalai since 2007.
He is definitely part of our family. He means a lot to us. My daughter and I were born in Peru, and llamas, you know, we hold them dear because we live very closely with llamas traditionally,” Kee Straits said.
For perspective, Dalai has been with the family longer than the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Sami.
Sami grew up riding Dalai and still has a soft spot for flame.
“He was so proud when he put on the saddle,” said Sami.
The young woman told the Journal that she wants to be a veterinarian one day.
The llama is older than the family’s daughter, Sami, who is 13 years old.
This chocolate cake was a treat for the human guests.
This is a sign brought by one of the family friends who attended the party.
The family also owns many other animals on their property, including guinea pigs, Navajo churro sheep, and chickens.
His love for animals, they say, stems from his heritage.
Kee Straits is Peruvian and Quechua while Thomas is Navajo.
“We’ve grown so interdependent with each other,” Kee Straits said. ‘In Peru, our llamas are part of our ceremonies, and we celebrate them… they are a livelihood.’
Unfortunately, Guinness representatives were unable to attend the party, but guests who did show up are allowed to act as witnesses to prove the claim.
This is the actual Dalai Llama, who the Dalai Llama is cheekily named after.
Kee Straits, who is Peruvian, said llamas are embedded in their culture.
Llamas are native to Peru.
Guinness will also require the animal’s ‘birth certificate’.
It usually takes weeks or months for Guinness to certify a world record.
Llamas generally live for 15-20 years.