09 June 2008

Using alpaca to guard sheep

"The llama-like creatures act as bouncers… bonding with the sheep, ever ready to protect them against predators such as foxes, which used to kill as many as 50 newborn lambs every year…

…they are used as sentries, standing guard over his collection of sheep, which includes some valuable rare breeds. If one spots a fox, they all charge over to administer a group kicking…

Such protective behaviour seems instinctive to alpacas, which appear to bond with any animals grazing with them in the field. Farmers have reported watching alpacas rounding up sheep and chickens and then standing guard over them when danger looms…"

(Image modified from Wiki commons)

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