Toumai, the "talking" alpaca

Posted at: http://www.ourcollectivegood.com/animals-ecology-wildlife/1483/




This was posted on the Facebook page of Graystone Ridge Alpacas and Farm Store of Manheim, PA, on August 28, 2013. Here is the accompanying text in its entirety for those who can’t, or choose not to, visit Facebook.

“Whether you believe it or not, what you are about to hear really did happen yesterday but I am going to tell you the Sweetened Condensed version (not to graphic). Remember Toumai? She is my tattle- tell girl that comes nose to nose with me when there is a problem in her pasture. Otherwise she doesn’t come to me at all. Well, she stared me down first thing in the morning. So I figured someone was in the early stages of labor, I just didn’t know who yet. As I was excitedly getting ready for our second baby of the season, I realized that it was Toumai that was in labor. This is her 8th baby (all boys so far) so she knows what to do by now.

After a few hours it became obvious that she was in trouble. She also came to me several times to tell me this. So, I listened to her. I called for some help (a very nice neighbor and my son who just stepped off the bus) and I washed my hands. I did an internal examine and discovered that the baby was breech. After consulting the vet by phone (she was 2 hours away), 2 people held and talked to momma and I went in to rearrange this baby. Toumai was very patient with me considering where both of my arms were. After a considerable amount of blood, sweat and tears…a baby girl was born…alive! We then switched our efforts to getting this baby to breathe properly.

As soon as we were satisfied that the baby was breathing , I turned to Toumai and she was in my face humming….loud! The ordeal was not over yet…she was prolapsing her uterus!!! Her uterus was turning inside out and it was coming out…..the whole way out. After another Vet call, I got further instructions. With 2 people holding Mom, I pushed with all of my strength (while she was pushing out) to get this uterus back in. It finally went in and I arranged it in its proper position.

As soon as I removed my hands , her humming stopped, her pushing stopped, and she ran over to check the baby. She checked that baby from head to toe and then something absolutely unbelievable happened. She went to each of us, one by one, and kissed us all over our faces. I think she was thanking us. Now, there were tears. Neither one of them was supposed to live. The only reason they did was because Toumai can talk.”