The Vicuña: Peru’s National Animal
A vicuña surveys its territory in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, near Huaraz
Reviving the Vicuña
My article about the vicuña in The Long Now Foundation explores the cultural importance of the vicuña and how to protect this threatened species of camelid.
A vicuña drinking from a pond at about 17,000 feet above sea level, in the Paucartambo region in southern Peru
I am so thankful to the experts who allowed me to interview them for this article!
Óscar Áragon is a veterinarian with a Master’s degree in South American camelids from National Altiplano University in Puno, Peru.
Felix de la Cruz Huamani is a biologist who works with vicuña and whose has expert knowledge of their habitat.
Santiago Paredes is the head park ranger in Pampas Galeras, which has the highest population of vicuña in Peru.
Armando Pariona Antonio works with communities who hold chaccu to invite tourists to observe and participate. Contact him on WhatsApp at +51 999 001 707 to inquire about his new travel agency Vicunga Travel that connects tourists with these communities. (Vicunga is the scientific name for the vicuña).
Wild vicuña share their habitat with domesticated llamas in the Peruvian Andes Mountains