The freezing temperatures of recent weeks in the central and southern regions of Peru have caused the death of at least 500 alpacas, denounced local ranchers and peasant federations.
The animals died of starvation, as the pastures where they feed have frozen.
One of the most affected areas is the community of Huancavelica, at 3,676 above sea level.
In the area, most families depend on raising alpacas as their only source of income.
Faced with the icy wave, the agriculture authorities have asked to declare a state of emergency in the Andean region.
According to livestock federations, low temperatures have caused nearly 25,000 deaths of alpacas so far in 2022, so they fear that the numbers will rise in the coming months.
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