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Aug 27, 1200
Alpacas join the Inca Empire
The alpacas, llamas, vicuna and guanaco. Their group date back to the 12 century. They were part to the Inca Empire and the supplied them with their wool. They were also the most valuable domestic animal at that time. -
The Spanish Conquest
When the spaniards had taken over the Incas, the alpacas had to move their herds towards higher elevations in Peru and Bolivia. This made the alpaca population drop. -
The Andea Tribe
On the way towards Peru and Bolivia, the alpacas meet the Andea Tribe. This didn't resolve anything because the population was still dropping and it was a harsh place to live because of the high elevations. -
Rebirth of Alpaca wool
In the 1900's the alpaca wool finally started to grow. That lead to the population to grow. -
Alpaca wool as an Economic Resource
By the 1980's, the alpaca wool production had risen to a strategic economic resource in Peru. Today Peru, which has over 85% of the world population of alpacas, considers the species a natural resource worthy of protection. -
Spread of Alpacas
Until the 1980's only a very few alpacas existed in North America, and these were scattered among a few zoos and private collections. The growth of importation restrictions in 1983 and 1984 enabled the entry of alpacas from Chile and brought the North American population to some 500-600. In the 1990's, alpacas have come to North America from Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and New Zealand.
