September 29, 2008

Alpacas in the Alps

Swiss farmers diversify with exotic animals.

In autumn, it's common in Switzerland to see herds of cattle decorated with bells and flowers being led down from the mountains to their winter stables. But these days, you might rub your eyes – surely those aren't cows marching down into the valley? No indeed: around 400 Swiss farmers now keep llamas or alpacas to supplement their falling incomes. (SF1/swissinfo)