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Alpacas, such as these ones from local breeder Eagle Valley Alpacas, are no longer allowed to be imported from South America. Photo by Trish Gannon.
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A new sort of breed?
The Sandpoint area is known for all sorts of animals – wild and domestic – so it’s not surprising to drive down the road and see, grazing in the fields, alpaca. This unusual looking animal is prized for its gentle temperament, ease of care and earth-friendly lifestyle – not to mention its wool.
That wool is part of the reason why three ranches in the Sandpoint area raise them: Eagle Valley Alpacas, Lakeview Fiber Ranch and Snowmass Alpacas. Native to Peru, Bolivia and Chile, alpacas are much smaller than the similar llama, standing only 3 feet at the withers on average. The huacaya alpaca, the predominant U.S. breed, has a dense, thick and crimpy coat that comes in 22 basic colors with dozens of variations. They’re said to resemble a teddy bear when in full coat.
Sheared annually, alpaca wool is classified as a rare, specialty fiber that is five times warmer than sheep’s wool and more luxurious than cashmere, and is growing in popularity.
– Trish Gannon
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