Concern over stolen baby alpacas

Police think the alpacas could be offered for sale

Two baby alpacas have been stolen from a farm in Hampshire.

The seven-month-old llama-type animals were taken from Tunworth farm, in Tunworth sometime between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

"The animals would have been very distressed at being taken from their mother," said Pc Andy Reid.

Police fear the thieves may plan to sell the pair as alpacas with pedigree documents can be worth anything up to £1,000 each.

They will pine and in the horrible weather they could just sit there and die Graham Reed

Alpacas are mainly found in Peru and are closely related to the llama.

Graham Reed, a director of The British Alpaca Society, said: "They are at a weanable age but at this time of year when the weather is horrible they do tend to shut down and will pine for their mother.

"They are relatively hardy animals but I am concerned for their welfare.

"If they have been dragged from their mother they will pine and in the horrible weather they could just sit there and die."

Pc Reid added: "It would have taken more than one person to steal these animals, and those responsible would have needed some sort of transit type vehicle to move them from the farm."