Predation and Salvation of the Vicuña
The empire of the Incas was the most sophisticated political organization of the pre-Columbian era, and South American camelids played a crucial role in its development, serving as clothing, food, and means of transport. In particular, the Vicuña was considered a sacred animal, respected above all others.
The Spanish conquest and the arrival of European species marked the decline of this civilization. Hunting became an indispensable activity for survival, and the South American camelids were close to extinction. It is estimated that, during the Spanish viceroyalty, nearly 2 million Vicuñas were hunted.
Despite various protective measures during the republican era, indiscriminate hunting continued, and by 1960 only around 5,000 Vicuñas remained in Peru. From this point, various actions were taken to prohibit their hunting and the illegal trade of their fibre, including the creation of the Ayacucho and Arequipa National Reserves, the Vicuña Convention between Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile, and the inclusion of this species in the ‘Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora’. Gradually, the divine treasure of the Andes is recovering its legacy. The long night that brought them to the brink of extinction has concluded, and the Andes have once again sheltered them. At Michell & Cía., we take pride in having contributed to the rescue of this emblematic animal, sharing the love for its history and supporting its responsible breeding.