Geronimo the alpaca: TB test results disputed - BBC News
The government said it found evidence the animal had the disease, but supporters dispute this.
Helen Macdonald’s animal was destroyed after twice testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB)

A government examination on Geronimo the alpaca has found possible evidence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), but supporters are disputing the results.

Authorities took Geronimo from his farm near Bristol on 31 August and killed him after he twice tested positive for the disease.

Vets working with his owner have said there were no visible lesions of bTB.

But the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said post-mortem tests showed TB-like lesions.

The animal's owner, Helen Macdonald, requested a copy of the post-mortem examination after the alpaca was removed from her farm in South Gloucestershire and culled.

Lawyers acting for the veterinary nurse said she had received a letter from the government legal department containing the preliminary findings.

These findings were then reviewed by veterinary surgeons supporting Ms Macdonald.

Ms Macdonald received an outpouring of support from the public

In a statement, the lawyers said the "preliminary gross post-mortem findings are negative for visible lesions typical of Bovine Tuberculosis".

"For clarity there are no white or cream caseous, enlarged abscesses typical for bTB in alpacas whether in the lungs, bronchial, mediastinal or retropharyngeal lymph nodes," it said.

It added that Ms Macdonald had formally requested the full findings of the post-mortem report along with all relevant documents.

"She has further requested that both fresh, frozen and formalin fixed tissue and fluid samples be preserved and provided to an independent expert to carry out further tests."

In a statement, the government chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: "We have completed the initial post-mortem examination of Geronimo.

"A number of TB-like lesions were found and in line with standard practice these are now undergoing further investigation.

"These tests include the developing of bacteriological cultures from tissue samples which usually takes several months - we would expect to complete the full post-mortem and culture process by the end of the year."

Ms Macdonald along with members of the Justice for Geronimo and Stop Badger Cull campaigns, have been protesting in London

Ms Macdonald along with members of the Justice for Geronimo and Stop Badger Cull campaigns, have been protesting in London.

Speaking outside Defra in Westminster, she said: "We urge the Government to act with compassion and cooperation, which to date has been severely lacking, creating deep and unnecessary distress to Geronimo.

"We call on the secretary of state to tender his resignation immediately," she said.

She has also vowed to fight for animal rights in "honour" of Geronimo.

"Geronimo was a blessing in my life. He touched the world. He was loved and precious to very many people and he lives on.

"I miss him. But I will do him the honour of fighting for him and making sure his legacy lives on for all animals."

Ms Macdonald imported Geronimo from New Zealand in 2017

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