FAO to save 18,000 alpacas
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is to intervene to save approximately 18,000 alpacas in Pilpichaca, Peru.
"The animals are sick due to an extreme out-of-season cold wave, agronomic frost, snow falls and hail which have damaged crops and grazing land on the Andean highlands,” said Marc Vandersmissen, FAO emergency co-ordinator in the country. He added that they will be given anti-parasite medicine and antibiotics.
"The damages caused by the weather are devastating to small farmers who have not harvested their crops yet, but above all to alpaca breeders," said a UN statement.
Climate change has reduced the number of pastures available to llamas and alpacas, and the Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in 11 of the country's 25 regions. At above 3,800 metres in altitude, many communities depend on the alpacas and the pastures to feed them. However, if the cold destroys the pastures, many animals will die and the livelihood of the poorest farmers will be jeopardised.
The FAO’s intervention will cover 50% of the local herd of an estimated 35,000 alpacas, llamas and sheep, benefiting approximately 200 vulnerable families.
