New Arrival

We were lucky enough to get to see this little cria just 25 hours after she was born. She's in fine form, gambolling and skipping, practising kneeling as alpaca's do before they sit down. Charming and full of the joys ....

Unlike other animals, the female alpaca doesn't have a reproductive cycle, but releases an egg as a result of mating. Clever, eh?

Alpacas gestate for between 11 and 13 months. This one was born at just 12 months. Makes it difficult for the keepers to know just when to watch out for the signs of labour. I think they are ready to mate again in 2 or 3 weeks, but couldn't confirm that on the internet just now. Seems a bit speedy to me, by anybody's standards.