In the heart of North Carolina lies a peculiar llama, with protruding buckteeth, who dedicates his days to offering solace to chronically ill children at a camp established by NASCAR royalty. This llama, known as Whitetop, has now been hailed as the world’s oldest llama in captivity, boasting 27 years and over 250 days of life. The prestigious title previously held by Dalai Llama was recently relinquished to Whitetop, as announced by Guinness World Records. Dalai Llama, residing on a ranch in Albuquerque, had secured the record back in 2023 shortly after celebrating his 27th birthday.
Whitetop was graciously bestowed upon the Victory Junction camp in 2006, just two years after the inception of the camp by race car driver Kyle Petty, the son of the renowned NASCAR legend Richard Petty, and his family. The camp was established in memory of Petty’s son, Adam, who tragically lost his life at the age of 19 in a crash while preparing for a race. Situated on 84 acres of land in Randleman, North Carolina, approximately 75 miles west of Raleigh, Victory Junction camp caters to children battling various conditions such as cancer, kidney and heart diseases, cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, as well as an array of neurological and physical disabilities.
Renowned for his gentle, affectionate, and compassionate nature, Whitetop has become a beloved figure at the camp. His signature move involves lying calmly while campers caress him, providing comfort to the children and offering crucial sensory stimulation, as highlighted by Billie Davis, the camp’s barn director. Davis expressed, “He truly aids campers in opening up when they engage with him. Initially, he might seem imposing, but once they approach him, shower him with love, and stroke him, they quickly realize his endearing nature.”
Among his closest companions is a miniature highland cow named Gus-Gus, who often forgets Whitetop’s llama identity and gleefully bounds onto him. Whitetop also relishes rolling in fresh wood shavings, munching on soaked alfalfa, and striking poses for selfies. Davis mentioned, “If you attempt to capture him from a side angle, he’s not a fan of it. He will inch closer and angle his face to ensure a side profile, almost as if he’s posing.”
The key to Whitetop’s remarkable longevity is attributed to exceptional veterinary care, regular exercise, and his unwavering passion for his role. According to the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, the average lifespan of a llama is 15 years, making Whitetop a true outlier. Despite developing arthritis in his later years, Whitetop remains in excellent health, apart from moments of distress when Gus-Gus, accompanied by two miniature donkeys named Jed and Jethro, temporarily
