FREISEN, Germany: When Ronja Pohl first saw the alpaca-disabled baby on a friend’s farm, her heart melted and she decided to give the little orphan a home and a special walking harness.
Named Marie, the animal’s two hind legs were severely damaged by a traumatic birth that killed its mother and sister.
“He was jumping like he wanted to show everyone that he has a strong character and that he wants to live even if two of his legs are injured,” 20-year-old Pohl told Reuters.
After taking her new pet home to the farm near Frankfurt where she works, Pohl took Marie to a vet, who amputated her hind leg and put her in touch with a company that makes wheelchairs for animals. .
Marie, tied to her frame and bespoke harness, now sways happily around Pohl’s barn, learning the ropes of social interaction with the Schlufine lamb and greeting other animals en route.
“She solves many problems herself. If she falls, she will get up on her own, if she feels like it, ”Pohl said.
“As soon as I can gain weight on his third leg, he’ll get an artificial limb and join my boyfriend’s alpaca herd to live a normal alpaca life.”