Alpacas bring joy to hard-working students

Two alpacas were spotted hanging out on the Village Green at the University of Waikato today. Wintec | Te Pūkenga Journalism student Sarah Morcom spoke to their caretaker for the day, Lieb Taljaard.

Students of Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato passing through the Village Green today were met with some unusual visitors after two alpacas came to say hello.

The alpacas were from the Cornerstone Alpaca Stud, and were brought along by an employee of the farm, Lieb Taljaard. Taljaard said the farm brings along the animals once a year, just before final exams. 

“We’ve brought them here to entertain the students, and just to give you guys a break from your upcoming exams,” he said. 

“It’s all for the students to just play with them”. 

Cornerstone Alpaca Stud has been running since 2000, and has had alpacas on the farm since 2005. They also have two llamas living on the farm, named Lima and Cusco. 

Taljaard said that bringing the alpacas to campus before exams is a great way to allow students to let off steam, and enjoy a cuddle with the fluffy animals. Final exams are a stressful time for students, and interacting with animals is a great way to relieve stress.

“It’s something peculiar and new, so the students just find it fun”, he said. He explained that alpacas are loving and gentle creatures, and very easy to get along with. 

The farm offers alpaca visits and walks to those visiting the property, and bringing the alpacas to the university is just one of their ways to give back to the community, Taljaard said.