They can’t play harps or write psalms, but alpacas and llamas (very closely related) are the latest thing in livestock protection. I’d never heard of it until last night.
These South American relatives of the camel will guard sheep, goats, calves, chickens, and ducks from predators like foxes, feral dogs, and dingoes. They not only protect the livestock; they also bond with the animals they’re guarding. And they have such nice, sweet faces.
For a thorough discussion of this intriguing innovation in farming, visit the Glenhope Alpacas website (http://glenhopealpacas.com.au/alpacas-for-sale/herd-guards-for-sale/)
Okay, living here in the suburbs, you don’t always know about things that rural people take for granted. Susan, my editor, knows people who keep llamas or alpacas to scare off the coyotes. Around here, Democrats paved over all the farms. We may someday get coyotes, but we’ll never get sheep unless they can find a way to browse off parking meters.