By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 12:09, Monday, 04 February 2013

A new llama has been born for the first time at a Lake District hotel – and her arrival took everyone by surprise.

Hotel wants name suggestions for llama

The baby llama was born at the Gilpin Hotel, which has had a small herd of the animals for years, but no-one knew the mother was pregnant.

Managing director Barney Cunliffe said: “Although the gestation period for llamas is 350 days, it is notoriously hard to know when a llama is pregnant.

“Her arrival was a complete surprise, but she seems happy and healthy, and we’re getting her checked out to be on the safe side.”

He said they were now watching the other females “very closely” as they have been advised that one or more of them may also be pregnant.

The hotel has had llamas for five years but the new arrival is the first birth.

The hotel at Windermere is also asking people to submit suggestions for a name for the new llama via their Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheGilpin

First published at 11:40, Monday, 04 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk