Brazil's MPF urges cull of seized llamas and alpacas in Acre over foot‑and‑mouth risk

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) has recommended the sanitary elimination of 30 llamas and alpacas seized on May 20 at a checkpoint on BR‑364, about 115 km from Rio Branco, Acre. The animals were being transported illegally to Alvorada do Oeste in Rondônia. A total of 43 llamas and alpacas were seized, of which 13 have died, likely due to the local climate.

The MPF’s recommendation follows a technical note from the Ministry of Agriculture, which cites the lack of zoosanitary documentation, irregular import, absence of traceability and the high risk of foot‑and‑mouth disease spreading to Brazil’s livestock. The report states that maintaining the animals “represents a sanitary risk with potential impact at state and national levels.”

The 30 surviving animals are now in quarantine under the care of the NGO Patinha Carente in Porto Acre. The NGO’s director, Vanessa Facundes, says they hope to repatriate the animals to Peru and notes they have received a donation from the Peruvian consul. The case awaits a judicial decision on the MPF’s recommendation.