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The Last of the Eight Essentials, of Alpaca Survival:
Protection
by Lisa Olsen
When Bill and I entertain visitors, we always begin by telling them that alpacas are fairly easy animals to raise, and maintain -- but they are VERY difficult animals to protect. It's important to us that anyone contemplating owning alpacas, hears this message loud and clear.
Historically speaking, alpacas roamed the Antiplano in South America. They weren't confined, and stood a good chance of outrunning predators. Their only means of defense were, and still are, their legs -- and they are used for running!
We manage alpacas a bit differently here in the United States. We confine them to safe little pastures. Unfortunately, if all we do is wrap a fence around our alpacas -- they are often sitting ducks to predators. The same fence that we think should protect our alpacas, will also keep them from escaping an attack - should a predator jump over, or dig under your perimeter fence.
Alpacas are shy animals, and unfortunately often run when spooked. It's this very survival instinct that often triggers the chase/attack mode in a predator. And what do you think is the most lethal predator to alpacas???? It's the pet dog. Talk to any seasoned alpaca breeder -- they'll have gruesome stories to tell.
Author: Lisa Olsen of Alpaca Atlantic of Tennessee LLC.
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Helpful Links with Additional Information:
I think it fitting to offer a link to the story of a hero, Twist (RIP), the guard-llama. Tawny Bott of Abra-Cadabra Alpacas tells a moving tale that involves Twist and a cougar. This story might sound familiar, as it was also told on the TV show, Miracle Pets.
If your neighbors insist on letting their pet dogs run loose, consider giving them a copy of this letter, A Message To Dog Owners, written by Chelle Rogers of Castalia Llamas.
WARNING! Please skip this link, unless you let your pet dogs run loose, or think that pet dogs could never hurt alpacas or llamas. This is a very graphic video, and is not intended for children. Overview, in case you would rather not watch: a pack of pet dogs, belonging to a couple in Blount County, Alabama, attack their herd of llamas, and kill them. The video was taken by a neighbor, in hopes of getting law enforcement or animal control to put a stop to the killing. This was the second attack in a week.
If you aren't convinced about the value of livestock guard dogs or the threat of predators, have a look at the Great Pyrenees Library. If you scoot about 1/3 of the way down, you'll find Livestock Guardians which includes links to a couple dozen articles. Interesting reading!
On a lighter note, here is a link to my site (Lisa Olsen of Alpaca Atlantic of Tennessee LLC)! Protection has always been a soapbox topic of mine. It doesn't matter how much thought you put into buying or caring for your alpacas -- if you don't take the topic of protection seriously, you're gambling with heartache. I cover the tiered approach to protection, because just like chocolate-covered cherries, one (type of protection) is never enough!
Here is another take on the multi-protection concept of Livestock Guard Dogs and Predator Control, written by Carol Karsten of Hidden Hill Farm Alpacas. Carol discusses the use of llamas, the various breeds of livestock guard dogs, and how to successfully introduce a new dog into the herd. Great information!
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