Vicuña

At Paignton Zoo, we have 4 vicuñas co-habiting the Grasslands hill opposite the giraffes. Max and his sister Belle arrived in July 2026, followed by mother and daughter duo Maria and Aluna in October.

They all share the space with 4 greater rhea in a mixed-species habitat in the Grasslands area.

VicuñaVicugna vicugna

  • Class:

    Mammalia

  • Order:

    Artiodactyla

  • Family:

    Camelidae

About the vicuña

The vicuña is the smallest wild member of the camel family and lives high in the Andes Mountains of South America. Adapted to cold temperatures, strong winds, and thin mountain air, vicuñas graze on hardy grasses and other vegetation found across the high-altitude plains. Their exceptionally fine wool provides vital insulation against the harsh climate.

Vicuñas live in family groups led by a dominant male, while young males often form bachelor herds. Once hunted to near extinction for their valuable fleece, they are now considered one of South America's greatest conservation success stories.

Conservation

Once hunted to near extinction for their highly prized wool, vicuñas have made a remarkable recovery thanks to legal protection and carefully managed conservation programmes across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Sustainable wool harvesting now provides an incentive for local communities to protect wild populations and their mountain habitats.

Interesting facts