A young llama has been struck dead by a train after it and its parents escaped their enclosure in central Germany. The two older animals were safely recovered.
The police statement did not make clear whether the animals were in the care of a business or a private individualImage: Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/dpa/picture alliance
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German police on Tuesday reported that a family of three llamas escaped their enclosure in rural central Germany, and that the youngest of them had been struck and killed by a train.
Police started receiving calls on Sunday evening about three llamas on the loose on the rail tracks, in a rural area of Germany close to the major Harz National Park nature reserve in the highland Harz area spanning three German states.
"The keeper of the animals was already trying to catch the escaped animals," police said. "Two of the animals were able to be returned uninjured to their enclosure by the keeper. These were the two parents. A train tragically struck the young animal and injured it mortally."
"Afterwards, federal police questioned the animal's keeper. He said that he had accidentally left a wooden door open, so that the animals could leave the enclosure," police wrote.
The police statement only ever referred to the "keeper" or "holder" of the animals (Der Halter in German), without providing details on where the animals had escaped from. Keeping llamas as private pets in Germany, though uncommon, is legal, and so is keeping them in a zoo or a farm.
How to have animal encounters while traveling
Each week we feature a different form of travel, and this week we're focusing on animal encounters. Whether whale watching, hiking with llamas or just being a silent observer, there are many options.
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Bring the dog
Without a doubt, traveling is a hassle for animals and often involves paperwork and extra costs for owners. Yet rules about bringing man's best friend along are fairly uncomplicated in the EU, and many countries also have dog-friendly accommodations. In Germany, there are even dog-only beaches by the sea, designated specifically for pups to be able to romp around with other dogs or chill out.
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Horse riding in the woods
Trail riding routes exist in many European countries, such as Germany, France and Britain. For many horse lovers, a multi-day ride into nature is the pinnacle of joy — provided both horse and rider are trained, of course. Nights are spent on properties designated for horses and their riders, or under the open sky. Pack light, since luggage is stored in saddle bags or on a pack horse.
Image: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance
Hiking with llamas
They are robust and at home in the high altitude of the Andes mountains in South America. Yet increasingly, llamas are accompanying hikers in Europe. Led by trekkers on a leash, they trot along as companions, even in the the Austrian Alps (pictured). But petting the animals is not allowed. If the llama's space is respected, the calmness of the animals is transmitted to its human companions.
When you encounter animals as a tourist, you should always consider animal welfare. One example of animal suffering in the tourism industry are donkeys used on the Greek island of Santorini. They transport tourists in scorching heat up steep paths. Animal welfare groups have been calling for an end to this business for years — without success.
Germany's North Sea island of Helgoland is home to the largest gray seal colony in Europe. In fact, it's the best place to get close to these predators. In December, babies are born on the island's sandbanks. With their white, fluffy fur, the newborns are irresistible. Tourists are allowed to watch them from a distance of 30 meters (about 100 feet).
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Bird-watching galore
To many vacationers, getting up at the crack of dawn or going to an observation post at sunset to wait patiently might sound like a drag, but not to bird enthusiasts! Amateur ornithologists are happy spend their holidays this way. There are many opportunities to observe migrating birds in Europe, from cranes in Germany to puffins in Iceland.
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Whale watching tours
Whales can be seen off the coast of Ireland, off the Azores of Portugal or in the waters around Iceland. But wherever you go, the best time to spot these large creatures is in the summer. A top priority is not to disturb the marine mammals. Many operators therefore use particularly quiet boats, or in Iceland, for example, traditional oak boats that run on biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil.
Image: Jakub Mrocek/Zoonar/picture alliance
Bear watching holidays
Turn your mobile phone off, keep your mouth shut, don't move and wait — these are the rules of thumb when on watching bears. Slovenia is home to more brown bears than any other country in Europe — roughly 1,500 — so your chances to spot one will be higher than anywhere else. Accompanied by a ranger or guide, you can wait in forests of Kocevsko to observe the animals in their natural habitat.
Whatever you do, don't forget to pack your long underwear when traversing the icy winter landscape of Finland or Norway with a dog sledding team. Learn about the tradition by helping to prepare the huskies with the dog sled driver, harness them and then glide silently through the snow. If you're extra lucky, you might even see the dancing lights of the aurora borealis at night.
Zoos and aquariums are among the top visitor attractions in many European cities. Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo has been named the best zoo in Europe more than once, for example. In Valencia, Spain, the L'Oceanografic, Europe's largest aquarium, is a popular tourist stop for all ages. Underwater towers display all the major ecosystems, and visitors can walk between underwater worlds through a tunnel.
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Police also said they hoped to use the incident to warn of the "considerable dangers" of animals getting loose on train tracks.
Although the train in this incident sustained no damage, police said that "in the case of a collision there is a danger of massive damage to the train and the rails."
"A potential derailment would additionally mean a danger to people's lives and wellbeing," police said.
They noted that animal owners would typically be questioned after any such events and that in some circumstances they could bear legal liability.