Peru's beloved Alpaca plays vital role in country's culture, economy

Peruvians remain fiercely proud of their country's most famous furry friend, the alpaca, with the beloved mammal serving not only as a fluffy symbol of the South American country's culture and traditions, but also deeply intertwining with its economy.

Known as a national treasure, images of the alpaca appear everywhere in Peru, with the popular creature featuring on items of clothing and being a favorite cuddly stuffed animal toy. Its close cousin, the vicuna, even adorns Peru's coat of arms.

Native to the Andes mountains in Peru's highlands, alpaca are highly prized for their fleece, which are used to make everything from simple ponchos to high fashion garments.

At Mundo Alpaca, a small museum and boutique in Peru's capital Lima, the displays tell the story of the camelid herbivore and the people who raise them. While exposing the history and tradition of the alpaca industry in the country, the museum also promotes the textile richness of Peru and the Andes.

Another reason the animal is so revered is for its cherished fleece. With more than 20 natural colors, alpaca wool offers many product options, as well as being a very practical clothing option, especially in the colder climates.

Museum manager Eduardo Ruiz pointed out one eye-catching poncho which he said is truly suitable to be worn in all seasons.

"This is very soft and it's warm, because Alpaca lives in the highlands. So it could be for all [seasons]. It adapts to all the weathers, so it could be ready for winter, for summer," he said.

The alpaca industry is a major economic force in Peru, with exports last year totaling more than 200 million dollars, with China, Italy and the United States serving as the top export destinations.

The South American country accounts for about 80 percent of the total global alpaca fiber production, helping support the livelihoods of more than 80,000 Peruvian families, including many ranchers who reside in the highlands.

"The people in the highlands sell the alpaca [fiber], so we can use it. So it's like, we are helping each other," said Ruiz.

But the alpaca offers more than just a series of highly-sought after products, it is also seen as the central symbol of Peru's heritage, and remains a source of great national pride, according to Ruiz.

"When you use and you wear alpaca, it is something that you are very, very proud of here," he said.

Peru's beloved Alpaca plays vital role in country's culture, economy

La Qiong, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and a passionate ecologist in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, is advocating further measures to preserve the region's fragile yet vital ecosystem.

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, also known as "the roof of the world," boasts rich biodiversity and essential water sources for several Asian nations.

The snow-capped plateau is the place La Qiong calls home.

Also serving as a lawmaker through his role as a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's highest organ of state power, La Qiong's suggestion during the legislative session has led to a groundbreaking law being passed in 2023, focusing on the ecological conservation of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. "The country attaches great importance to ecology and has introduced a series of laws and regulations to ensure the protection of ecology. Now, phenomena such as poaching, illegal hunting and indiscriminate logging have basically been stopped. But if we are to achieve protection on a higher-level, how do we achieve that scientifically?" he said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

At Yani Wetlands in Nyingchi , La Qiong closely monitors the wetlands' rich biodiversity and pristine landscape, while actively promoting the development of a long-term, dynamic ecological monitoring system. And he says he is committed to figuring out how to balance protection and progress.

"More and more major projects including the Sichuan-Xizang Railway are coming to Nyingchi, therefore how to protect the local ecology during the city's development has become an important issue," he said.

Given the area's rich biodiversity, La Qiong said he would bring up suggestions on conserving the unique wildlife species affected by the projects and using them to support local economic and social development at this year's legislative session.

Along with other Chinese lawmakers, he will continue to offer a Chinese solution while preserving and protecting rich natural heritage for all.

The third session of the 14th NPC is scheduled to run from March 5 to 11 in Beijing.

NPC deputy safeguards Qinghai-Xizang Plateau's ecological legacy