Social:Serge (llama)

From HandWiki
Short description: Llama famous for being source of a meme
Serge
Photobombsergelama.jpg
SpeciesLlama
BornSaint-Nazaire, France
Died2020(2020-00-00) (aged 14–15)

Serge the llama (29 June 2005 – 2020) was a llama in the circus Cirque Franco-Italien of John Beautour[1][2] and internet meme. Serge was named after the French singer Serge Lama, who described the choice of name as "genius".[3]

During the night of 30 to 31 October 2013, while the circus was performing in Bordeaux, the llama was taken from its cage by a group of five youths returning from a disco. They took the llama out for a walk, posted some pictures on social media, and took it on a tram. The five were arrested by the police and Serge was returned to his owner, unharmed.[4]

Initially the circus director John Beautour pressed charges. However, the photos went viral on the internet, leading to a lot of publicity for the circus. Beautour subsequently dropped the charges.[5]

The llama was bookable for parties at 1,200 Euros per event, and appeared as a mascot at soccer games.[6]

A parody of the Stromae song Papaoutai called "Lamaoutai" was viewed more than 4 million times on YouTube. The parody was made with the cooperation of the circus.[7]

References