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Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, mainly Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Alpacas have been domesticated for approximately 5,000 years and served as the lifeblood for the Incan civilization and played a vital role in the daily life of the Incans. These precious creatures were nearly destroyed by the invasion of the Spaniards, but a few herds luckily survived.
Importation of Alpacas to the United States began in 1984 and ceased in 1998 when US Alpaca breeders voted to close the registry. The closing of the registry prevented flooding the market, therefore keeping prices high. There are currently 60,000 (and rising) registered alpacas in the United States, with approximately 650 of those here in New Hampshire.
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