Vicuna  (Vicugna vicugna)

Range

The vicuna is found in the Andes of southern Peru, western Bolivia, north-western Argentina, and northern Chile (2) (10). Two subspecies have been described: Vicugna vicugna vicugna occurs in Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, while Vicugna vicugna mensalis is found in Chile, Bolivia and Peru (1). The vicuna was introduced into Ecuador in 1988 with the help of Peru, Chile and Bolivia who all donated individuals from their own stock (11).

View a distribution map for this species at UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Habitat

The vicuna inhabits mountainous areas at altitudes above 3,200 metres (12), where it grazes on the short and tough vegetation of the semi-arid rolling grasslands, plains and marshes known as “puna” or “antiplano” (10). The climate is dry and hot during the day but cold at night; vicuna must live near water due to their daily water demands (2).

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