Are the Alpaca animals killed or hunted for their fur?

Not any longer. Previously the Spanish conquistadors, and until the late 60’s, poachers used to hunt the Alpaca and Vicuna for their fur. Today many Andean countries have imposed restrictions on hunting the rare Alpaca and have allowed the indigenous tribes to own, protect and care for the national herds. The lifespan of an Alpaca is approximately 20-25 years, which makes the Alpaca wool a commodity similar to sheep wool, and thus the economic benefit of sheering live Alpaca far out weighs the temporary gain that one would receive from harvesting the fur..

Posted in: Alpaca Textiles