A HOPPING herd member with a spring in his step has been leaping into action at a Dorset llama farm.

Willy the guanaco, a relative of the llama, has no problems clearing his five-foot high fencing at UK Llamas at Mosterton near Beaminster and is clearly not shy about showing off his prowess.

Chris Eke, who owns the business with Jo Harwood, said Willy has been known to leap over his new enclosure in search of better grazing in the next door lakeside paddock.

Mr Eke said: “Most guanacos are good jumpers and he can easily clear six-and-a-half feet.

“Occasionally he just jumps over into the lake area.”

The sprightly guanaco just can’t be contained by his fencing but Mr Eke said he fortunately goes no further than the lush grass nearby.

He said: “It’s not a big deal, he just goes out and has a munch and he doesn’t go far.

“The good thing is that he doesn’t jump out into the road.”

Mr Eke that Willy also has a streak of showmanship coupled with a sense of curiosity that means he has been known to spring the fence when visitors arrive at New House Farm.

Guanacos are members of the camel family native to South America from which llamas and alpacas are descended and their fur is a highly desirable commodity.

Willy is the only guanaco at UK Llamas, which runs llama treks in the area for tourists, but lives happily alongside around thirty llamas and a pair of alpacas.

He does not take part in the tourist treks but does get to explore his wider surroundings.

The herd at UK Llamas also help to raise funds for Wawa, a charity providing educational and medical opportunities for underprivileged children in Peru.

For more information on UK Llamas visit www.ukllamas.co.uk