by Tyler Andreala
On Nov 4, two new members were added to Timber Creek’s animal family. These new additions were different, though. This time Timber Creek got two new alpacas. The alpacas, Zev and Echo, are the first alpacas the school has owned. Agriculture teacher Zuleika Hubble said, “We are always trying to do something new as the Timber Creek F.F.A.”
Zev and Echo, both male alpacas, were bought by Timber Creek and are the first animals in the F.F.A to be owned by the school, and not by students like the other animals. The F.F.A was able to buy the alpacas for a steal ($200 each, when they usually cost $1,000). What makes the alpacas expensive is its fleece, which is the softest natural animal fur. In addition to being the softest, it is also flame retardant. Like sheep, alpacas are shaved for the fleece which eventually grows back and is a yearly process.
Alpacas are known to be an animal that spits on its observers, but are actually friendly animals often used by farmers to protect their flocks of sheep. Junior Jerilyn Meagher said, “I am lucky to be a part of this, as I can say ‘Hey! I get to take care of alpacas.’”
Zev is a Suri, which is an endangered breed of alpaca. There are only 7% left in the world, and 3% of those are in the U.S. Echo is a breed of alpaca called Huacaya, which is not endangered.
Alpacas are very social animals and must be kept in groups; this is why the F.F.A got more than one. Junior Bryan Mathews said, “It’s a cool experience working with an animal that you don’t see every day.”
Students curious about these beautiful animals can learn a little more about them on Ag Day, Nov. 30.