Camelids including camels, alpacas, and llamas face welfare challenges from transport, fibre harvesting, and increasing intensification of production systems.
Camelids occupy diverse roles from working animals to fibre producers and are kept under widely varying conditions. Alpaca shearing is necessary for welfare but should be performed quickly and humanely. Camel racing and live export involve welfare risks that advocates have highlighted. Greater transparency and welfare standards in the camelid fibre and livestock trade would benefit millions of animals.