Llama living at camp for children with serious illness is crowned oldest llama in captivity

(Gray News) - A llama living at a camp in North Carolina now holds the record for the oldest llama, according to Guinness World Records.

Dove Oaks Whitetop, also known as Whitetop, was given the title of oldest living llama in captivity as well as oldest llama in captivity by Guinness World Records.

At 27 years and 250 days old, he dethroned the previous record-holder Dalai Llama.

Whitetop has lived at the Victory Junction in Randleman, North Carolina, since February 2006. The facility is described as a year-round camp for “children with serious illness and chronic medical conditions.”

For the last 19 years, Whitetop has been a sweet and relaxed presence at the camp. He’s part of the Animal Adventure Program and according to the camp, he loves getting pets from the campers and ing in on selfies.

“He is so good with our campers that as soon as our camp days start, he just lays down and he doesn’t get up until lunch,” Billie Joe Davis, the barn director at the camp, said in an interview with Guinness World Records. “He’ll just lay there and he lets kids run up to him and love on him.”

Whitetop’s calm demeanor makes him great with the campers and with his pasture mates, miniature donkeys Jed and Jethro and a miniature highland cow named GusGus.

Unlike other llamas, Whitetop doesn’t spit on humans, only on pasture mates if they annoy him or when he wants food. However, because of his age, no spit comes out.

The camp said the secret to Whitetop’s longevity is “camper interactions, a balanced diet, good pasture mates, and great vet care.”

The camp said they would celebrate Whitetop’s achievement with a special gathering and his favorite food in his favorite bucket.

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