Advertisement

New Zealand couple's alpaca might be world's oldest at 25

A New Zealand couple said their alpaca, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Jan. 2, might be the oldest member of his species in the world. Photo by Johnny_px/Pixabay.com
A New Zealand couple said their alpaca, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Jan. 2, might be the oldest member of his species in the world. Photo by Johnny_px/Pixabay.com

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The New Zealand owners of an elderly alpaca said the animal might be the oldest in the world at age 25.

Vicki and Alex Cordier of Wainuiomata, in the Wellington region of New Zealand's North Island, said their alpaca, Wainui, was born Jan. 2, 1998, and has been living on their property since 2002.

Advertisement

The couple applied to Guinness World Records to see if Wainui could be the oldest alpaca in captivity.

The record is currently held by Mananita, an alpaca who was 24 years and 320 days old when her age was verified in November 2021. The Cordiers said they applied for the record when they were unable to determine whether Mananita is still alive.

The Cordiers said Wainui remains in good health.

"He gets very well looked after, he has coats and he goes inside every night, and gets breakfast and dinner. He's in good health, other than his eyesight, which is a little fragile at the moment," Vicki Cordier told Newshub.

Latest Headlines