It's the International Year of Camelids. But what exactly are camelids? They're Bactrian camels, dromedaries, llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. The lesser-known two-humped wild camel is one of the world’s most endangered large mammals.
Camelids make up a family of herbivorous mammals with soft fleece, long necks and two-toed feet. They have very small hooves with a broad sole that helps them walk steadily on sandy or rocky ground.
These beautiful animals are important for the lives of many communities around the world: they provide people with food and jobs and their images are even used as national symbols.
A resource for life
Many communities around the world, from the South American Andes to the African and Asian deserts, depend on camelids.
They are used for meat, milk, fibre, manure to fertilize the soil and as a means of transport.
Camel milk, for example, or alpaca and vicuña fibre, deserve to be more widely known and valued as these top-quality products contribute to the economies of entire regions of the world.
Helping face climate challenges
Bactrian camels, dromedaries, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos can make the most out of the limited resources offered by extreme ecosystems such as deserts or highlands.
These resilient creatures are a great asset in areas affected by climate change.
Camelids for the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations wishes to achieve a number of important goals by 2030, like putting an end to hunger and extreme poverty, using our planet's resources responsibly, and attaining gender equality.
Camelids can contribute because they help Indigenous Peoples and many communities who live in challenging environments to obtain nutritious food and job opportunities for women as well as men.
Not just food or work
Besides providing food and material resources, camelids are also important symbols for many desert or mountain communities.
They appear in myths and legends; they pop up in traditional art and their images symbolize entire communities.
Some Indigenous Peoples have been caring for these animals for centuries: the legacy of this knowledge and tradition must be passed on and valued.
Special care for valuable animals
Governments and anyone with the power to make important decisions should do more to support camelid breeding using new ideas and technologies, increasing investment in research and camelid-related initiatives to develop the sector.
It is important to help those who care for these animals by protecting the ancient traditions and knowledge of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
Type of camelids
Guanaco
This is the ancestor of the llama and one of the largest wild mammals in South America. It is mainly found in Argentina. Its body has adapted to live at altitudes of up to 4 000 metres and it can run at a speed of up to 60 km per hour when running away from predators.
Vicuña
Along with the guanaco, this is one of the two wild camelids of South America. It is the wild ancestor of the alpaca and the symbol of Peru: it even appears on the coat of arms at the centre of the flag. Its fibre is one of the finest in the world.
Alpaca
This is much smaller than the llama and is mainly found in Peru, where it is raised for its fine, soft, warm fleece. This is a small and very sociable animal: it craves company and doesn’t like to be away from its alpaca friends.
Llama
This is the largest among the camelids that live in the Andes region of South America. The llama is raised for its fibres and meat. It is also used to carry loads at high altitudes.
Dromedary
This is smaller in size than the Bactrian camel and only has one hump, but it can produce more milk. It is found in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Dromedaries are good savers. As there is little vegetation in the desert, they eat only a few leaves from each plant, leaving some for the other herbivores.
Bactrian camel
This is the largest camelid and is mainly found in China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. Its humps function as an energy store, enabling it to survive for extensive periods without eating or drinking. It can also gulp down dozens of litres of water in one go.
Explore IYC stories from across the globe
Ayanne
Djibouti
- Good morning! Would you like a cappuccino, or should I say a camelcino? I’m Ayanne and I have a rather special coffee shop in Djibouti. It’s called “The Camel Coffee Shop”.
- This is where I live: Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It’s packed with different languages and cultures. Food is very important in our country.
- Camel milk is one of our local delicacies. I use it to make delicious cappuccinos, smoothies, cakes and even soft rolls.
- Camel milk not only tastes great, it is also very nutritious for you.
- I choose milk produced by a group of women who live and work in the countryside. It's the best in Djibouti! I visit the farm personally a couple of times a year to make sure the camels are in good health. Eating locally produced food is always the best option.
- If you happen to pass through Djibouti, don't forget to come to my café and order a nice smoothie, a slice of cake or... who knows what else – I always love coming up with new recipes!
Diego
Argentina
- Hello. I’m Diego and I raise llamas in the Argentine Andes, in the province of Catamarca to be specific. There, see? It’s right there.
- I live in a town that’s 3 000 metres above sea level. My family manages to make a living by growing potatoes, quinoa and garlic as well as raising llamas.
- Llamas give us meat that can be dried and cured, but their fibre is another valued resource.
- The finest and most valuable fibre is produced by vicuñas. Vicuñas are adorable animals. Look at them, aren't they cute?
- I harvest vicuña fibre together with a local cooperative. Strict rules must be followed because this animal is protected by our government. Vicuñas’ fibre can only be carefully sheared on a set date once a year in high mountain enclosures.
- You should feel how soft and warm this fleece is. As soon as our cooperative is allowed to sell it abroad, you could make a nice jumper out of our vicuñas!
Perizat
Kirghizistan
- Hi, I’m Perizat, I live in Orto-Saz, Kyrgyzstan and I raise Bactrian camels. My husband and I have 30 of them, look how beautiful they are. For centuries, these animals have not only been raised to carry heavy loads, but also for their milk, fibre and meat.
- Just in case you didn't know, Kyrgyzstan is located in Asia, right here.
- Did you know that camel milk is rich in nutrients that are very good for your health? It’s a valuable food that helps you grow big and strong. But it’s not easy to milk them: if they get grumpy, they bite and spit. I’m the only one who milks our camels, because I have the magic touch!
- Sadly, there are very few camels left in my country. They’ve been replaced by trucks and cars. There used to be thousands, but now there are only 260 remaining.
- My husband and I do our best to increase the population of these beautiful animals. We’re always coming up with new business ventures. For example, we offer guided tours and sell camel wool carpets.
- Our ultimate dream is to build a hotel where we can host visitors and show them the beauty of our mountains. Sooner or later, we’ll make that dream come true. Why don't you come and visit us?
Nergui
Mongolia
- My name is Nergui and I live in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. The climate here is dry, with sandstorms in summer and icy winds in winter. It’s not an easy life by any means.
- My family and I depend on milk and wool from the Bactrian camels we breed for our livelihoods. These animals can live in a harsh environment like ours and don’t need much looking after.
- Unfortunately, we were recently hit by a terrible drought: it stopped raining, there was a lot less vegetation around and our camels produced less milk because they didn't have as much to eat. It was a very tough time for us.
- So, I started working on a special kind of farm that was set up through a big plan funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO. I was able to take my camels with me. There, the animals were given feed that kept them healthy, and they soon started producing more milk.
- A year later, I brought my herd back home and can now put the breeding and milking special skills I learned into practice on my own farm. Now we’ll be ready to face periods of drought.
- I can’t wait to share this new knowledge with other local families raising camels. We’ll be able to work better, not harder, and climate change won’t stop us from having plenty of good milk.
What can you do?
Keep yourself up to date
There is a world of information on camels, llamas and the camelid family as a whole.
Find out as much as you can – you’ll soon realize how useful these animals are to people, especially Indigenous communities, and how they help to protect nature and culture.
Buy special products
If possible, buy camelid products such as fibre or milk.
You’ll have the pleasure of buying top-quality products, plus you’ll have done the environment a favour and helped both the animals and the people who look after them.
Share the news with others
Not everyone is aware of the advantages of camels, llamas and their cousins – and what they’re capable of. Not everyone knows how excellent and eco-friendly their products are.
Spread the word about the #YearOfCamelids on social media, at school and to your friends. Let them know how special these animals are.
Activities
Activity 1
Make your own camelids
Download the six types of camelids and cut out the shapes! Glue the paper onto cardboard to make your camelids stand upright.
Activity 2
Have you read the stories about Perizat, Ayanne, Diego and Nergui? Do you know where they live? Look for their countries on the world map.
Writing exercise: Be like a camel
Bactrian camels and dromedaries fill up with food and water when conditions permit and store the energy they need for long desert crossings in their humps.
Do you ever feel like stocking up on amazing things – experiences that give you the energy you need to face tough times, just like camels do? Write down the things that power you through an entire year or even just a few weeks.