Bouncers are used to dealing with bouts of spitting, kicking and wrestling, but wouldn’t be encouraged to behave this way themselves.
But some new ‘security guards’ at an RSPB nature reserve in the north have been hired for exactly these actions, with territorial behaviour an essential part of the job description.
Two llamas have been recruited as an experiment to protect the eggs and chicks of the wading birds that reside at RSPB Marshside, and act as guards during the birds’ nesting season.
Local graziers Gill Baker and Lee Booth are normally asked by the RSPB to have cattle grazing on the marsh to keep the habitat in tip-top condition for the important lapwing and redshank populations at the reserve.
But this summer, llamas Willy and Jack will join the other cattle to help protect the wading birds.
Gill Baker says: “The ‘boys are a great hit with locals and visitors to the reserve. They will hopefully do a great job looking after the birds and can live quite harmoniously with the cows there.”
Llamas are extremely protective creatures and can be quite aggressive, although only if provoked. They can kick, spit and neck wrestle and they move up or down the social ladder by picking small fights. Fights are visually dramatic with the spitting, ramming each other with their chests and kicking, mainly to knock the other off balance.
The sound of the llama making groaning noises or going "mwa" is often a sign of fear or anger and it is hoped that these noises and slightly erratic behavior will be a deterrent to predators like foxes.
Using llamas as livestock guards began in the early 1980s in North America and some sheep producers have used llamas successfully for that entire time. Llamas are ideal guard animals as they protect against predation and are straightforward to look after.
Graham Clarkson, RSPB Marshside warden, says: “Llamas are territorial and should chase away animals like foxes that can eat lapwing and redshank eggs and chicks. We hope it will make a difference to how successful the birds are this year.
“Its particularly important that they do well as the populations of these breeding birds are threatened in the UK so we will be monitoring the outcome of this experiment carefully..
“And as well as the potential conservation benefits of having the llamas on site, it will be really interesting for the visitors too and although they can be aggressive if provoked, there are naturally very gentle creatures!”
You can see Willy and Jack and the rest of the wildlife at RSPB Marshside nature reserve for free, seven days a week. For more information visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/