Tens of thousands of people in the UK have backed a campaign to save the life of an alpaca called Geronimo.
Geronimo is due to be put down after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
However, the alpaca's owner - farmer Helen Macdonald - has insisted she won't stand by and let her animal be killed.
Helen and animal rights campaigners argue that the test currently being used to test for bTB is outdated and often produces false-positive test results.
Now, well over 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for Geronimo to be saved, while a group of campaigners marched to Downing Street yesterday to highlight the issue.
Demonstrators head to Downing Street in central London, during the protest march against the decision to put down Geronimo, the alpaca which has tested positive for tuberculosis. Picture date: Monday August 9, 2021. Picture by: Aaron Chown/PA Wire/PA ImagesThe British government has insisted the test used is "highly specific and reliable and validated", and has insisted the decision will not be reversed.
Ms McDonald also lost a final court appeal to save the alpaca last week.
However, campaigners are not giving up their fight - pledging they'll even form a human shield to protect the animal if necessary.
Dominic Dyer, wildlife protection and animal welfare campaigner, told The Hard Shoulder this has now become a fight about the British government's wider animal welfare policies.
He said: “It really has raised issues not just about the animal being put to death for a test that we believe is not right and effective in terms of TB, but also about the whole issue of our relationship with animals.
“The government can gang up, effectively, on this individual animal that is fit and healthy. I think that’s what has really caught the imagination of the British public.”
Mr Dyer acknowledged bTB is a big problem for farmers in the UK and Ireland.
However, he and other activists believe the test currently being used is faulty, ineffective and outdated.
He explained: “What we need is Actiphage PCR tests, which are being trialled in Britain and used widely in the rest of the world, which are very effective at finding TB in alpacas, llamas and cattle.
"But the government is refusing to allow that test, because it’s only being trialled and is not available for commercial use.
“I think pressure is building on Downing Street to actually do a u-turn. I’m looking at the Tory press… all are backing our campaign. This is not an animal rights niche discussion.”
Mr Dyer said campaigners support Geronimo being euthanised humanely if he does test positive for bTB under the more accurate test.
However, he said they don't believe a positive test result is likely.
He said: “We’d have to have the test to prove it, but we’re pretty confident that animal is TB free.”
He added he has a "great deal of respect" for Helen Macdonald, saying this is now becoming an international debate due to her work in highlighting the story.
