Articolo disponibile anche in: Italian
Some years ago, from the Cavriglia park-zoo, which is now in a state of neglect, a few llamas began to roam the woods and the countryside between the Valdarno and the Chianti.
This area proved to be a favourable habitat, and now it is quite common to come across, among vineyards and olive trees, these animals which have a unique, almost archaic charm.
Andrea tells us about his last encounter with a llama, in the land of the Chianti Classico in the province of Siena. He’s passionate about the Chianti territory, its fascinating culture, stories and traditions.
“A llama – he tells us – was trotting on the road 408, in the direction of Siena, near the Osteria della Passera, in the town of Gaiole in Chianti, behind him there was a queue of cars that were trying not to disturb it. At a certain point a car arrived from the opposite direction, and just managed to dodge the llama which was in the middle of the road”.
“The animal – continues Andrea – changed direction and climbed up the verge, where it found a clearing where the electric line is. And from there, docile and quiet, the llama looked at the amused people who had run the risk of hitting it. It was a female, judging by the swollen breasts “.
“In the Chianti territory now – says Andrea – there are not only the common wild boars and deers,” which make our roads dangerous and destroy our crops. The landscapes suffers too, because of the proliferation of fences to protect the fields from their voracity “.
“The territory of Gaiole in Chianti is not new to the presence of these docile animals – he explains – which are very dangerous for our roads, in the hamlets of Nusenna, Brolio, Montegrossi, San Vincenti, and now at the Osteria della Passera. these spitting quadrupeds, want to be pampered by people “.
“Once the llamas could only be seen in South America – he concludes – or in the Natural Park of Cavriglia, in the province of Arezzo: now they live among the herds of wild boars in the Chianti”.
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