Cal Poly Pomona has a new llama, and the campus community can help choose its name.
The Department of Animal & Veterinary Sciences purchased the llama to help guard its sheep and goats against coyotes. Llamas place themselves between the flock and coyotes. They also can bite and kick the predators.
The male llama, which came from an owner in Red Bluff, California - about nine hours north of campus - replaces the previous guardian of the flock, Midge, who died of natural causes last year.
Midge was a very popular figure on campus, garnering many comments and likes every time she appeared on the university's social media channels.
The Cal Poly Pomona Annual Fund and Huntley College of Agriculture held a campaign last fall to raise funds for the new llama and help with its feeding and care.
The campus community is invited to vote on a name for the new llama. Here are the five names to choose from:
- Walter
- Mobley
- Pancho
- Sprinkles
- Pat
Donors to the campaign were eligible to submit a name for the new llama. The Department of Animal & Veterinary Sciences picked the five finalists from those that were submitted.
Voting is open now through Feb. 21, when the college will announce the results.
To vote on the name, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LLamaname.