Geronimo alpaca: Preliminary postmortem autopsy ‘shows euthanized animal did not have tuberculosis’

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Jeronimo the alpaca did not have bovine tuberculosis, preliminary results from a post-mortem examination show, according to its owner.

Helen MacDonald called on Environment Secretary George Eustis to resign, chanting chants of “killer” supporters at a demonstration outside Mr Eustis’ offices.

Ms MacDonald accused government officials of concealing from her how the animal was killed and how it was “tortured” on its last flight.

The alpaca tested negative for bovine tuberculosis before it was imported in 2017 from New Zealand. He has not had any symptoms since, but Defra insisted he had tested positive for the virus, so he should be executed.

Officials, backed by the police, finally led him to his death on August 31, after a long battle fought by Ms MacDonald and her veterinary advisor to prove the tests were faulty.

Activist Dominic Dyer called Geronimo’s arrest “one of the most brutal incidents of animal crime in this country I have ever seen”, to cheers from supporters of “Shame on Defra”.

Ms MacDonald, a veterinary nurse, accused officials of threatening and intimidating her, and of “moving in experts” who knew nothing about camels.

“There is a long list of people who have contributed to the barbaric treatment of Geronimo,” Ms MacDonald told the audience. She claimed that they were punishing her for daring to “stand in the way of their faith”.

“Jeronimo was an innocent victim of arrogance, ignorance and greed,” she said.

“Jeronimo was a blessing in the world,” MacDonald said to more cheers, vowing to fight for him and ensure his legacy lives on for all animals.

MacDonald said Geronimo did not show signs of illness

(Getty Images)

Vet Iain McGill outlined how officials stressed Jeronimo to capture him, failing to take a proper head strap and attacking him.

He said the animal was “equipped” with antibodies to tuberculin, which caused a false-positive result, and insisted they asked to speak to officials but were refused.

Chief Veterinarian Christine Middlemis said: “A number of tuberculosis-like lesions have been found and, in line with standard practice, these are now under further investigation.

“These tests involve developing bacteriological cultures from tissue samples, which typically take several months – we expect to complete the full autopsy and culture by the end of the year.”

Devra said Ms MacDonald was welcome to get a second opinion on the autopsy report and that government scientists were ready to answer any questions they might have. Management added that Ms. Middlemise had made attempts to contact the owner.

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