Two young alpacas (aged 7 and 6 months) arrived at the Feldman Ecopark. These South American animals, the relatives of camels and llamas, appeared in the Regional Landscape Park within the programme of free exchange among zoos.
“The newcomers feel themselves fine, and get used to the Ecopark with interest. They are currently in quarantine, but most likely, they will be taken to the Theatre of Children and Animals, where they will be able to meet the other artists of the zoo theatre,” the Feldman Ecopark deputy director of zootechnic issues Valeriia Ivashchenko told. “Alpacas are very sociable, kind and clever animals. The representatives of this species started to appear on the stage of the Theatre of Children and Animals long ago, and they are deservedly loved by the audience. The new ones will join the troupe soon to start their education in the theatre.”
There were 4 alpacas in the Feldman Ecopark before the arrival of the new ones.
It should be noted that alpaca is a cloven-hoofed animal domesticated by the Indians of Peru several thousand years ago. Alpacas are descended from vicugna (vicuña). They are bred in the alpine level of South America (the Andes). As of today, nearly 3 million alpacas live there, mainly in Peru. Alpacas are bred for their hair, which is used for the production of warm and soft blankets, rugs and clothes. Their height does not exceed 1 metre. They weigh about 70 kg and have a soft and long fleece (up to 15-20 cm on the sides).
