Whitetop, a bucktoothed llama, has been crowned the world’s oldest llama in captivity at the age of 27 years and over 250 days. He lives at the Victory Junction camp in North Carolina, which was founded by NASCAR’s Kyle Petty in honor of his late son Adam. The camp caters to children with various chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Whitetop is known for his relaxed and empathetic personality, spending his days comforting campers by allowing them to pet him. He has a best friend, a miniature highland cow named Gus-Gus, and enjoys rolling in fresh wood chippings and posing for selfies. Despite developing arthritis in his old age, Whitetop remains healthy and happy due to good veterinary care and exercise.
The average lifespan of a llama is 15 years, making Whitetop’s longevity remarkable. The camp has started selling T-shirts featuring him to raise funds, with the proceeds going towards the camp’s activities. Whitetop’s presence at the camp has helped many children feel more relaxed and supported during their stays.
Stephanie Wilkerson, a camper at the Victory Junction camp, shared that petting Whitetop helped her feel more relaxed when she was initially nervous. Despite his age, Whitetop continues to bring joy and comfort to the campers, showing that age is just a number. Whitetop’s story highlights the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted therapy and the impact that animals can have on the well-being of individuals, particularly those facing health challenges.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
