The animal shown in the upper left field of Peru is a vicuna coat, symbolic of the animal kingdom and the riches of Peruvian fauna.
The animal shown in the upper left field of Peru is a vicuna coat, symbolic of the animal kingdom and the riches of Peruvian fauna. Vicugna vicugna is a small South American camelid, highly prized for their wool, very fine features. Vicuna fiber is one of the most expensive in the world and can cost more than 600 U.S. dollars per kilo. The vicuña is a herbivore that is not domesticated, living freely in the highlands of Bolivia and Peru, in cold weather, more than 3000 m, remaining in the latter country's largest population, a victim of poachers that the ambition to achieve their wool they kill a defenseless animal.
Ironically, one of the most expensive fibers found in the highlands where the indigenous population is mired in poverty.
Among the South American camelids, the vicuña is the most beautiful, tan, chest showing a tuft of long white fibers. The ventral part of the body and limbs are also white, has a long neck, small head with large eyes look sweet. It weighs between 40 and 50 kilos.
Their wool was used since pre-Inca times, having found robes and other clothing fabrics with the fiber of those times
Currently there are rural communities that are responsible for the care and protection of the vicuña, performing each year the Chaco, the technique by which hundreds of members form a large human circle that can cover several hectares of land surrounding the vicuña, tapering gradually the fence, to come finally to its shearing in a pen and end up in a party where everyone dance, sing and drink. Vicuña are sheared every two years, yielding about 250 grams of wool each. Animals are not hurt by this ancient technique, but wool is cut and are reviewed if there are any injured, being released again. Rural communities, individually or in association, are responsible for the marketing of wool.
Camel meat has lower levels of cholesterol in comparison with other species, which will allow Peru to the opening of international markets interested in organic and healthy products.
According to census in 2000 the largest population of vicuña is in Ayacucho (34.03%), Puno (15.26%), Lima (14.91%), Junín (9.61%), Apurimac (8.44%) and Huancavelica (7.37% .) According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Peru there is an estimated population of 149.502 vicuña.
Tradition has it that the vicuña are protected by Coquena, a dwarf god who dresses like Peruvian aborigines of the highlands, having two hands, a light to pat vicuna and other heavy to punish hunters who kill animals. Thus, the residents of the Andes only take what need from the vicuña to Coquena no bother.
Specie: Vicugna vicugna