Whitetop, a bucktoothed llama, has been crowned the world’s oldest llama in captivity at 27 years and over 250 days. He spends his days comforting chronically ill children at Victory Junction camp, founded by NASCAR royalty Kyle Petty. The camp, located in North Carolina, serves children with various medical conditions and disabilities.
Whitetop is known for his sweet and empathetic personality, often comforting campers by lying still while they pet him. He has become an important figure at the camp, helping children come out of their shells and providing sensory input. Whitetop’s best friend is a miniature highland cow named Gus-Gus, and he enjoys posing for selfies and rolling in wood chippings.
Despite his age, Whitetop remains healthy due to excellent veterinary care, exercise, and his love for his job. His only source of upset is when his animal friends leave him alone. Many campers, like Stephanie Wilkerson who has Type 1 diabetes, find comfort in petting and hugging Whitetop.
The camp has started selling limited edition T-shirts featuring Whitetop to celebrate his longevity, with proceeds going towards the camp. While llamas are sometimes known for spitting, Davis emphasizes that Whitetop doesn’t spit because he loves his job too much. Overall, Whitetop’s role at Victory Junction camp has made him a beloved and important companion for the children he serves.
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