Geronimo (alpaca)

Geronimo was a male alpaca in the United Kingdom, known for a protracted legal battle surrounding his positive tests for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and the subsequent order for his destruction by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Geronimo was imported to the UK from New Zealand in 2017. Upon arrival and subsequently, he tested positive for bTB using the Enferplex blood test. His owner, Helen Macdonald, a veterinary nurse, disputed the validity of the tests, claiming they produced false positives. She argued that Geronimo had been primed with tuberculin prior to testing, which could have influenced the results. Defra maintained that the tests were reliable and that Geronimo posed a risk to other animals.

The case attracted significant media attention and public support for Geronimo. Supporters argued that the science behind the testing was flawed and that Geronimo deserved to be re-tested using a different method. Protests were held and petitions were launched to prevent his destruction.

Despite these efforts, Defra obtained a warrant to execute the destruction order. Geronimo was euthanized by government vets on August 31, 2021.

The controversy surrounding Geronimo's case raised broader questions about the effectiveness and ethics of the UK's bTB control strategy, particularly concerning the reliability of testing methods and the potential for false positives. The case also highlighted the emotional bonds between owners and their animals and the power of public opinion in influencing government policy. Subsequent post-mortem examination of Geronimo found no evidence of bovine tuberculosis, further fueling the debate surrounding the case.