General Information

Upcoming events: to keep track of what is happening in the South Australian Region, simply make regular check of the 'Calendar', by clicking on the calendar button to the left of screen.

This site has been designed for those members of the general public simply looking for a bit of information and a list of contacts. By following the links you will be able to find our nationally renowned 'Alpacafact Sheets', produced and published by this region, in conjunction with Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. You will also find other helpful information on research and alpaca care in the LIBRARY section. Simply use the menu buttons on the left.

If you would like to receive an INFORMATION PACK from the A.A.A., then simply use the CONTACT link to send us your postal address.

An important notice regarding Property Identification Codes can be found on the news page. Owners of all types of livestock, including alpaca, should ensure they register for a PIC. It is simple, free, and now compulsory.

BACKGROUND

Alpacas originate from South America, with the largest herds located in the high altitude regions of Southern Peru, Bolivia and Chile known as the Altiplano. Life there is difficult. Alpacas not only battle a harsh climate - burning sun by day and freezing conditions at night - but also receive few of the benefits of modern animal husbandry. Alpacas were first imported into Australia in 1858, but the project failed and none of the alpaca are known to have survived.

The first of the current alpaca arrived in Australia in 1988. The Australian alpaca herd has since been built from breeding stock imported from Chile, and more recently from Peru and Bolivia. The alpaca has adapted well to Australian climatic conditions. While the future direction of the Australian Alpaca industry is rapidly heading toward the promotion and sale of alpaca fibre, the emphasis in this young industry will still be on breeding and improving stock for the foreseeable future.