Llamas have been banned from Canyonlands National Park because of concern they could spread disease to desert bighorn sheep and other animals.

Park natural-resource specialist Larry Van Slyke said the prohibition is based on recent scientific data suggesting that Johne's disease spreads readily between species of cud-chewing mammals like sheep, goats, cattle and

camels.Marybeth Bullington of Tocquerville, a former commercial outfitter who used llamas, said there is no proof the disease is found in llamas.

"Occasionally the Park Service and Forest Service will get an individual who doesn't like llamas and complains, and (the agencies) restrict them," she

said. Van Slyke said recent studies sparked concern that llamas might inadvertently expose the park's fragile population of desert bighorn sheep to the disease, which causes chronic inflammation of the intestine.

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"If subsequent data demonstrates that llamas can be in the park without the threat of infecting the wild sheep, the prohibition on their use may be lifted," Van Slyke added.

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