The
llama is a relative newcomer in North America. After the presumed migration of
the original camelid seed to Asia and South America, there were no camelids in
North America until the importation of llamas as zoo exhibits into the United
States in the late 1800s. One of the more significant importations was made in
the early 1900s by William Randolph Hearst to populate his San Simeon estate
with these animals as well as a number of other exotic species.
These early imports formed the base of the United
States llama herd, which, until the early 1970s, resided in private exotic
collections and zoos. However, a few private breeders and zoos recognized the
unique qualities of the llama and began applying reasonable management and
breeding practices in an effort to produce a more desirable animal. These herds
increased the visibility and improved the presentation of the llamas. This led
to other people becoming interested in raising them as alternative livestock
for companion animals and pack animals.
Use of llamas as pack animals has a very low impact on
the environment. For this reason, they are the pack animal of choice,
particularly in sensitive ecosystems of alpine and desert environments. Because
they are natives of the altiplano (high plain) of the South American Andes,
they are naturally adapted to arid conditions as well as high altitude.
Llamas’ impact on vegetation is quite low. They are
browsers and ruminants and eat small amounts of vegetation from a wide variety
of plants and digest them very
efficiently. They don’t injure individual plants by over pruning and their
manure has a low nitrogen (urea) content because of thorough processing of
proteins in the forage. This eliminates “plant burn” common to simple stomached
animals (equine) whose, manure contains higher levels of nitrogen. The llamas
hoof structure also minimizes mechanical damage to plant growth common with
other pack stock. The llamas hoof is padded and has a large surface area
compared to the animal’s weight. This limits the cutting and loosening of soil
that occurs with other stock.
Using llamas as pack animals fits well into the low
impact format of wilderness camping. The equipment, techniques, and ethic are
the same only llamas carry the bulk
of the weight normally carried by backpackers. This increases the range and capacity
of campers allowing them to use more distant campsites and destinations in the
wilderness, thus dispersing impacts from the overused, easily accessible sites.
It also allows wilderness access for people with limited physical ability and
supports back country activity requiring more equipment and supplies than
single focus camping. Children, seniors, and people with disabilities can more
easily access destinations beyond road corridors.
Your Notes
USE
OF LLAMAS AS PACK ANIMALS
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LLAMAS
IMPACT ON VEGETATION
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LLAMAS
FOR CAMPING
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