History of Alpacas

Alpacas are theorized to have descended from the vicuna some six thousand years ago. The first known records of alpacas have been found in cave drawings found high in the Andes. Perhaps the world's earliest domestic animal, the South American alpacas were used as a currency of trade just as cattle have long been in other parts of the world. The unique fiber of the alpaca became the foundation of a prosperous civilization existing high above sea level. Fiber from the alpaca was uniquely suited to clothe the Andean Indians in their harsh environment.

The Incas conquered the Indians and captured their precious "cattle." Alpaca breeding and husbandry reached a peak in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. under the Inca Empire. During this period alpaca breeding was conducted by a state organization whose members all belonged to a special nobility. Alpacas were the most valuable domestic animals of the time and were intensively selected for production of copious, fine fiber.

In the 16th century after the Spanish conquest of the Incas, as the Spanish brought their prized Merino sheep from Europe, the alpaca was driven from its pedestal, including being considered legal tender, to the high altitude of Puno Alta. The available pastures were limited in size and carrying capacity. Alpaca numbers dropped and husbandry practices deteriorated in the hands of the native Andean herders whose very life was a struggle on the harsh alto plano.

Finally in the 1920's, appreciation for the alpaca fiber experienced a rebirth. By the 1980's alpaca fiber production had risen to a strategic economic resource in Peru. Until the 1980's only a few alpacas existed in North America, and these were scattered among a few zoos and private collections. The brief lifting of importation restrictions in 1983 and 1984 enabled the entry of alpacas from Chile and Bolivia. Then in 1993 the first Peruvian quality bloodstock made it's way to the U.S. The importations officially closed on March 30, 1989 to the U.S.

Animal scientists in the U.S. and Australia are already focused on the genetic improvement of the alpaca and it's fleece production. The available expertise together with the desire of the alpaca's new-found owners will finally allow the full potential of the alpaca to be achieved.

"Awareness of the unique quality of the alpaca is increasing with worldwide recognition gained from the promotion efforts of breeders in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The terms luxury and alpaca are becoming synonymous. The treasure, which the Incas harvested from the back of the mystical alpaca, will soon be enjoyed by discerning consumers everywhere." (AOBA: Alpaca--From Fleece to Fashion)