Speaking of animals and the military — because the fighting in Lebanon wasn’t already tragic enough, now it seems that adorable furry llamas are also in the line of fire:

Israeli newspapers carried pictures of South American llamas accompanying commandos out of southern Lebanon, their saddlebags full of fighting gear.

Yedioth Ahronoth daily quoted a senior Israeli military commander as saying the white-furred pack animals could carry up to 27 kg each over rough terrain, were quiet and required feeding only once every two days.

This reminds me of the mine-seeking dolphins and sea lions we used in Iraq a few years ago, and the dogs and bees used in land mine clearance — except that the llamas are presumably in far more danger. Readers of this blog already know I am a big fan of alpacas, the llamas’ spitting, humming, football-playing cousins. It’s a little unclear whether the Israeli army is using llamas or alpacas, but either way, can we start a petition to get these poor little guys out of the war zone?

link via growabrain, photo from Orthodox Anarchist