Farm animals in Peru and Bolivia

Yin and yang finding out about
life together. Lamb is a staple meat
and we saw many flocks along
our travels.

Livestock farming in the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia is very different from what I am familiar with in Canada. The biggest difference is in how the animals are raised. Communities or families have herds of llamas, alpacas, cows and sheep that graze freely in the mountains (no fences in these parts). The animals are rounded up once a week or so by the herder to make sure that they remain in the right valley and to guard against poaching (the value of animals being what it is, they are unfortunately stolen). All of the animals are branded for easy identification, but alas, this does not protect against thievery.

During our trek through the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, we encountered farm animals in every valley. In the Cordillera Real in Bolivia, communities are deliniated by valleys and are often separated by glacial rivers. Trekking through the vast lands and up and over passes is just part of what a "campesito" does. It was quite inspiring (and humbling too), to witness the physical strength and determination of the people.

Horses are a big part of life in the
Andes. They are essential
for transportation and as pack
animals. Here they helped us
across a river.

Donkeys are also integral to life in the Andes. They can
carry up to 40 kilos (25 more than llamas). Such gentle
animals they are.



Alpacas make you just want to smother yourself in
their fur. The white ones are more "valuable" than
the lovely brown ones. Alpacas are raised for their
fabulous fur which is used to make many garments,
from hats and gloves to gorgeous sweaters. Warmth
and beauty combined.



Alpacas graze freely on grasses.

There are several varieties of llamas. One variety is best for its meat (they
have less fur so are valuable for the food they provide), while another
variety has more fur, making them valuable for their fur "harvest". Their fur
can be shorn twice a year. Both varieties can give birth to one llamasita
a year. Llamas are gentle creatures and a spectacle to watch as they
effortlessly bounce up and down steep faces.