The alpacas in Peru mostly graze free and the herds are gathered together for shearing. In Peru, alpacas are treated with dignity – it is a culturally and historically highly respected animal for Peruvian people, and alpacas are expensive.
In the Incan empire, alpaca fibre was strictly reserved only to be used by kings and royals. It is not surprising, as we know that rare alpaca wool is softer, more silky feeling, warmer and more durable than wool. It is also suitable for most wool-allergics as alpaca does not contain lanolin.
Alpaca farming is more ecological than sheep or goat farming. Alpacas’ soft feet do not cause erosion and they eat grass without pulling the roots.
Shearing is also an important part of alpaca care as thick fleece would cause alpacas to overheat in the summertime. Most of the animals take shearing easy, some even enjoy it. Alpaca wool is always mulesing-free.