In the News
"N.B. alpacas heading to Mideast..."
Copyright 2008 Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick)
On a small alpaca ranch off the beaten path between Norton and Apohaqui, a dozen curious creatures are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime.
Early next month they will travel by plane to a private breeding and research wildlife farm in Qatar, an oil-rich nation of about 1.4 million people located on the Persian Gulf, next to Saudi Arabia. There the alpacas, which resemble a small llama, will make their new home, says Margot Roode, who owns Devine West Ranch in Erb Settlement with her husband Jamie.
"This is the first in Canadian history of an animal sale from Canada to Qatar," Roode said.
In order for the deal to happen, both countries had to sign a new agreement that suited all import and export requirements relating to issues such as the exotic animals' vaccinations, registration and transportation arrangements.
"This sale required we start from scratch," said Roode, a Norton bank manager who runs her farm as a hobby.
Officials here and in the Middle Eastern country have been working since the Qatar facility, called Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, learned about Devine West Ranch's small alpaca farm by searching websites in May.
And just recently, Roode said, she got the green light to make the sale.
As part of the contract, the 12 alpacas leaving for the warmer climate are spending 30 days in quarantine here, with the three males separated from the nine females. A government veterinarian is also making house calls to take blood samples to ensure their good health before the trip.
By early December, the animals will be on their way. They will be taken by livestock trailer to Toronto or Montreal, and will board a plane at a total cost of $20,000 for the flight alone.
They will all be exported with their Canadian llama and Alpaca Association registration papers.
Roode said there are no alpacas in Qatar, which is the appeal to this private wildlife facility in Qatar that has created a sanctuary for rare or endangered animals.
"The more than 2,500 animals in more than a 100 different species enjoy the latest in know-how for their comfort and well-being," Al Wabra's website says. "This includes excellent veterinary care, laboratories, food kitchens, orphan nurseries, the best in natural and imported foods, air conditioning, artificial rains and involvement in international breeding programs."
Indeed, Roode believes her pet alpacas will be spoiled silly. She has been in conversation with the Qatar farm to discuss shearing methods and dietary needs for the animals, and the Al Wabra is growing alphalpha to feed the animals instead of the fine hay they receive here. They will also receive a grain supplement, Roode said, as they do on her ranch.
There are 22 natural shades of the mild-mannered, shaggy animal and Roode said she is sending a mix of tones including white, grey, black and brown alpacas to allow more colours to be represented as they are bred in Qatar.
As it has since 2003, Devine West Ranch will continue to run its farm with a roster of about 35 animals. The animals are only used for their fibre, which Roode says is sheared and sent to Ontario for processing. Roode has it knitted or woven into items for purchase, or the yarn can also be purchased by craftspeople.