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The Vicuña

The Vicuña is a member of the camel family. It has a tan brown coat is thick which protects it from the cold of the mountains. They live in a treeless country in the mountains of Andes in South America where the air is very cold. The travel in family herds in between 6 and 15 animals a male leader, some females and young ones. While the heard feeds on grass and plants, the leader stands guard over them. If any danger approaches, the leader will make a whistling noise Then the females and the young ones hurry away. The leader bravely puts himself between them and the enemy. 500 years ago the Inca Indians protected the Vicuña's silky skin. They hunted them only once in 4 years. Only the Inca Kings could use the wool. The vicuña is still protected but thousands of Vicuñas have been killed by law -breaking hunters. Unfortunately hunting has become too easy with the help of guns, trucks and planes. Now the vicuña is protected and the numbers are slowly rising.

 

 

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