11 photos of a llama life well-lived

Dr. Kee Straits and Andrew Thomas give Dalai Llama attention at their home in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dr. Kee Straits leads Dalai Llama out of his enclosure at their home at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dalai Llama, 27, enjoys his alfalfa birthday treat at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Shandiin Fleg, 8, leads Dalai Llama after taking a photo with the llama during a birthday celebration at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dalai Llama enjoys his alfalfa birthday treat as Sami Straits, 13, opens his birthday gift at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dr. Kee Straits, Sami Straits, 13, and Andrew Thomas celebrate their llama, Dalai Llama, at their home at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Rae Tittmann, 5, looks up at Dalai Llama as she leads hi around during a celebration of the 27-year-old llama at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dr. Kee Straits smiles at there llama, Dalai Llama, at her home at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dr. Kee Straits admires her llama, Dalai Llama, at her home at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Dr. Kee Straits admires her llama, Dalai Llama, at her home at QD Farm in Albuquerque, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Dalai Llama turned 27 years-old on Jan. 27, and is a waiting confirmation of being recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)

Chancey Bush

Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Photographer

Alaina Mencinger

Alaina Mencinger Alaina Mencinger Alaina Mencinger Staff Writer

Published August 28, 2023 - 9:06 a.m. Modified August 28, 2023 - 3:10 p.m.

World's oldest llama dies in Albuquerque at 27

As featured on - World's oldest llama dies in Albuquerque at 27

The animals were quiet when Kee and Sami Straits returned to their Albuquerque farm after a trip to Germany. Normally, one-eyed brown llama Dalai Llama — the “guardian” of QD Farms — would be the first to greet the returning family.

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