Kay Sharpnack wrote this about El Fuerte in an article that appeared in Llama Life 45

November 1, 1997 was a sad day at Hinterland. El Fuerte was euthanized after eight months of aggressive treatment with both Western and Eastern medicine for ataxia of the rear end which had caused a slow and steady deterioration. The post mortem showed a most amazing thing. He had two old healed spinal fractures: one in the lumbar region the other in the thoraso-lumbar region. Eric told me that he was surprised that he was ever able to walk, run or breed. He was well-named since “El Fuerte” means “The Strong One.”

One of 42 males sold at the 1993 Peruvian Select Sale - the first ever importation from Peru - El Fuerte was my first choice of the group. I thought he was just what the Hinterland program needed. In the eyes of Jim and Nel Vickers, he was the “star” of the sale. In fact, Jim told me that he had chosen him with me in mind.

I was told before the sale that he had come off the van from quarantine six weeks earlier “down and quite ill.” We assume the injury may have taken place en route. Although emaciated at sale time, he still had the presence and charisma he became so well known for. His regal carriage did not go unnoticed by Iris Christ, and since Iris and I did not want to bid against each other, we bought him in partnership. She graciously allowed me to purchase her half three months later.

El Fuerte was meant to come to Hinterland and be a blessing. I have had over 7,000 llamas and among them many excellent breeding males. So it is no small thing for me to say that he is the best breeding male I have owned to date. His get are consistently picked out by any visitor to the ranch - long necks, excellent conformation, color, elegance and lovely fiber. He was prepotent across the board (on original and new South American blood) for his phenotype, style, carriage and presence. The icing on the cake is the gentle disposition and tractability of his get - the easiest to train of all our crias. His registered get number 61 (28 males and 23 females). There will be no more in 1998.

I believe El Fuerte may go down in history as the “Dr. Doolittle” of Peruvian imports; only time will tell. I just know that the “great ones” are few and far between. Hinterland will continue to nominate him as a Celebrity World Futurity Sire as long as there are offspring eligible to compete.

Thank you, El Fuerte. Your legacy of 21 females and 11 males stand tall and proud at Hinterland. We will see you in many future generations. We thank our friends who have purchased or bred his offspring and have shown them with such phenomenal success. The oldest have been two years and under, yet they have won top tens, futurities, show and regional championships and have been undefeated in Get-of-Sire classes to date.

But special thanks go to you, Jim Vickers, DVM, who selected him in Peru.