Pondscaping at the VT Alpaca/Llama Sanctuary
WAHOO!
Now that deter deer perimeter fencing is in place, we continue to improve drainage entering into Phase 2 of HespeGarden’s Predator/Nuisance Abatement Project!
To kick off the new year, we used the warmer temperatures and only 3 inches of frozen ground to begin construction of a pond. Work commenced on January 6th. By the 10th, the new farm pond was constructed, drainage around primary barn significantly improved with beautiful ditches & swales!
Next on the agenda, and once weather permits, grass seed will be installed to prevent soil erosion with herbal ley landscaping and pondscaping to follow.
We want to open this project up to local schools who may want to experience the sanctuary and the pondscaping learning adventure.
Interested?
The Back Story
Ponds are a valuable asset to any farm. Whether to aid in providing watering facilities for livestock or ensuring proper drainage to preserve & improve water quality; a farm pond goes a long way to benefit the landscape offering natural habitat for birds, frogs, fish, interesting insects and plants. Also offering an enriching learning experience to children.
Over the years, we have discovered that many unwanted parasites thrive in wet, muddy conditions. This fact was highlighted in 2011 with significant weather events long periods of rain followed by hot humid temperatures. The poorly drained areas of HespeGarden create a haven for many unwanted parasites that pose health concerns to animals & humans alike. This is especially problematic when alpacas, llamas, sheep, & goats are present in region known to a white tail deer population.
Why is this?
A pesky worm called meningeal (P. tenius). 
Meningeal worm, also know as Brain Worm, Deer Worm, or Paralaphostrongylus tenius is a natural parasite in white-tail deer and generally completes life-cycle in it’s deer host with no significant health problems. But when the worm finds it’s way into an unnatural host: the outcome of its lifecycle is very different. Alpacas & llamas are even more susceptible to infestation than sheep or goats.
Since alpacas/llamas originate in South America where no white-tailed deer population exists, these animals have not evolved to be a symbiotic host to this parasite.
As the animal becomes infested with the worm, the parasite moves to the brain &/or spinal cord. Once this happens in alpacas & llamas, the result is fatal unless treated immediately! If the animal survives, there will be long term paralysis of extremities coupled with behavior changes.
How is the meningeal introduced to an alpaca or llama?
Interestingly, terrestrial snails or slugs are the intermediary host to this worm.
One deer can shed thousands of eggs per gram of feces. When a snail/slug ingests eggs from the droppings, the larvae stage begins. Since snails & slugs thrive in temperate, moist wet areas such as poorly drained pasture. When a llama or alpaca grazes in such an area and ingest an affected snail or slug it will take about 3 months before neurological paralysis begin. Within a few days of developing signs (dragging a foot, head tremor, uncoordinated hind legs), the animal will loose all ability to stand ending in the animals death. Even more discouraging, treatment isn’t always affective.
Other than use of anti-parasitic drugs, what else can be done?
As of this fall, deter deer fencing is now in place. HespeGarden is a Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) certified farm utilizing pasture raised geese, ducks and chickens to assist in reducing the snail population. We plan to introduce guinea fowl this spring to our fearless poultry parasite patrol while continuing to monitor how effective our attempts to thwart this cycle.
If you are a teacher and would like your class to monitor our progress or visit the ranch for a fun learning experience, feel free to contact us!
