Coyotes and domestic dogs are by far the biggest predators of sheep and alpacas in North America. Guard llamas offer a viable, non-lethal alternative for reducing predation, while requiring little specialized training and care.

How and why do llamas protect alpacas and sheep?
The highly social South American camelids are aggressive towards members of the canid
family (coyotes, foxes, dogs etc.). Apparently, over time, canids have been important predators
on the camelids, so that today, llamas and alpacas are naturally wary of members of the dog family.

In field studies in South America, guanacos and vicu?as often have been observed aggressively pursuing Andean and Patagonia foxes, but fleeing from mountain lions. Adult male guanacos are highly territorial, protecting their real estate and sounding alarms to their family group when predators are sighted.

Although not fully understood, once a guard llama becomes familiar with an
area and is attached to the alpacas, the pasture becomes the llama?s territory and the alpaca herd becomes the llama?s family group. Even for the gelded llama, these innate behaviors remain. Guard llamas are not passive bystanders, but are active leaders and protectors of their flocks.
During daily movements of the alpacas, llamas may take the front position to lead the alpacas, walk and graze in their midst or bring up the rear. Many times while the alpacas are grazing you will see the llama watching over them.






By Adrian Stewart