A llama spotted galloping down the A66 continues to baffle the public, as no one has come forward to claim the animal. Here is what we know so far. 

What happened and when? 

Drivers spotted a large white llama sprinting down the A66, with vehicles slowing down and pulling aside to let the animal past on the afternoon of Sunday 18 September. 

James Tadman saw the incident first-hand and took a video of the incident, which has since gone viral, being viewed by over 300,000 people from across the UK. 

Read more: Darlington drivers stunned after llama spotted on the A66

When speaking to The Northern Echo about the incident, James said: "We were driving and the car in front slowed down, so we pulled over thinking police car, ambulance, or fire engine was coming past, and then saw thing white, horse-like animal running past.

"As it was in such close proximity, we worked out it wasn't a horse, it was a llama. It was running down the road with cars slowly following it."

Where was the llama spotted? 

The viral video of the animal was taken near the Northern Echo Arena, going towards the A1, however, more reports of people spotting the llama have come from across the North East. 

What have the emergency services said? 

Durham Police received one report of a loose alpaca or llama on Sunday, September 18, on the A67 at Scotch Corner. 

Highways England also confirmed that they had been contacted about the llama, saying: "We received a report from a member of the public about a llama by the A66 near Blackwell Grange, Darlington, at 6.57 pm on Sunday (18 September).

Read more: Another llama sighting reported in Scotch Corner after Darlington incident

"We contacted Durham Constabulary with details to investigate further."

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: "Officers carried out a search, but the alpaca was no longer in the area."

Is the animal a llama or an alpaca? 

Opinion differs on whether the animal is llama or alpaca, with people chiming in from across social media. 

Have llama/alpaca farms in the area been contacted? 

The Northern Echo has been in contact with all llama and alpaca farms and sanctuaries in the area, including Teesdale Alpacas and Mainsgill Farm, but none have reported any missing or escaped animals. Some experts suggested that the animal may be a pet that has escaped from its field. 

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