Missing llama drama has happy ending; found near Bedford Corners farm

Diana Heimann says her llama had been missing for 16 days. Groundworkers realized who the animal was thanks to posters put up in an effort to find Gizmo.

News 12 Staff

Dec 31, 2020, 3:26 AM

Updated 1,346 days ago

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Gizmo, a llama that was missing for 16 days in northern Westchester, was found Wednesday evening.
Groundworkers spotted Gizmo within walking distance from the farm it escaped from in Bedford Corners.
"He nestled himself in somewhere quite safe and stayed put, and was really just waiting to be found," said Christina Dochtermann, a search organizer.
Diana Heimann tells News 12 both of her llamas escaped a day after she received them from a rescue.
“They decided to jump the fence and explore the property...we managed to get one back,” says Heimann.
Gizmo took off, leaving Heimann to expand her search on the ground to the air.
“We hired a company out of upstate New York and they did a…thermal drone search in the immediate area,” says Heimann.
The groundsmen realized the 300-pound, 5-foot-tall llama was lost when they came across a "lost llama" poster.
While Gizmo lost some weight, he is otherwise in good condition and is back home.
"He's going to get a checkup," Heimann said. "He's drinking water with electrolytes and treats. He's in his own horse stall locked up tight so we can get a tracker on him before we let him out."
Once he gets that clean bill of health, he'll also be introduced to his new farm family, which includes other llamas, goats, chickens, and horses.