Lisa Fox, owner of Briery Hill Llamas in Newent, Forest of Dean, is devastated after an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) led to the culling of seven llamas, with 27 more currently held in isolation. The outbreak began when Stardust, one of the llamas, fell ill and later died, with post-mortem tests confirming TB. Subsequent testing revealed seven additional llamas had contracted the disease.
Under the guidance of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Lisa made the difficult decision to euthanize the infected animals to protect her remaining herd. “As a family, we are heartbroken,” Lisa said. “We don’t see these llamas as just property—we’ve lost friends and family members.”
The TB outbreak has brought the farm’s main business—llama trekking and therapy sessions—to a halt, with operations expected to remain closed for most of 2026 pending multiple rounds of TB testing. While APHA provides compensation for culled animals, Lisa stresses that this does not cover veterinary expenses or compensate for lost earnings. The vet bill for Stardust alone reached nearly £15,000.
READ MORE: Gloucestershire Clinch Convincing 10-Wicket Win Over Derbyshire
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm Series Six Scheduled for Summer 2027, Planning Documents Confirm
“We’ve been offered no additional support despite losing our primary source of income,” Lisa added. “The financial strain and emotional toll have been overwhelming. We’ve even had to borrow money from relatives to improve fencing to prevent the disease’s spread.”
The 27 llamas currently in isolation tested negative in initial screening but face ongoing testing, including a skin test in July and a blood test 10 days later. Even if results remain clear, follow-up tests will continue for at least another 90 days, prolonging uncertainty over the herd’s future.
“This disease has taken everything from us—our llamas, our livelihood, and our peace of mind,” Lisa said. “We hope for better testing procedures and more government support to help us through this crisis.”
Lisa has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover feeding and veterinary care during the closure, raising over £6,500 so far. Meanwhile, Defra emphasizes the importance of rapid removal of infected animals to contain bovine TB and notes that compensation is provided for animals culled to control the disease.
A Defra spokesperson said, “We sympathize with affected farmers and rural communities. TB is a serious disease, and control measures, including compensation for culled animals, are essential to protect livestock.”