A Happy Ending to the Llama Search: How Bizarre the Capture Operation Was

Keks, the llama that ran away in Neudorf in the Ore Mountains, is back. It was recaptured on Tuesday evening in a wooded area in Oberwiesenthal. Llama caretaker Mike Robeck-Jokisch is greatly relieved, as he explained shortly after the successful capture.

Robeck-Jokisch had set out that evening armed with food and a halter to catch the llama. But even though Keks responded to the man’s calls and showed interest in the food he and his helpers were holding, it took about two hours to finally catch him.

Coincidentally, a group of physical education students happened to be passing by and also helped to surround the llama and prevent it from running away. “That took quite a while and really took a toll on us physically,” one of the students said afterward.

Owner Cindy Jokisch was also relieved when she was able to bring the llama back to its pasture: “I’m really glad he’s back now.” Even though Keks probably enjoyed his little adventure, it’s good that he’s back.

How Keks Disappeared

The five-year-old llama had been missing since Tuesday morning. That’s when Robeck-Jokisch couldn’t find the animal either in the pasture or in the barn. According to reports, Keks had never run away before. Owner Jokisch had recently sold some of her alpacas, with which Keks had previously been grazing together. “Maybe he was homesick,” she speculated about the animal.