Heartbreak of alpaca farmer as disease wipes out whole herd

A HEARTBROKEN farmer had to watch her 48-strong herd of alpacas being slaughtered after a disease spread through them.

Emma Collinson believes some may have been killed needlessly as some tests were “faulty”.

The 38-year-old, who runs Moorview Alpaca Farm on Bodmin Moor, had to spend her life savings after the outbreak occurred.

Emma, who has been living in a caravan on the Cornish farm, had money ring-fenced to fix the roof of her house and hopefully get to a point where it was in a liveable state.

But the past year has seen the entire herd of 48 alpacas killed because of bovine tuberculosis.

Emma said it was later confirmed some were killed needlessly, as tests were faulty, likely including one, Geronimo, that became a worldwide sensation before being destroyed.

Emma, who launched alpaca trekking experiences on the farm in 2018, said: “The whole farm went down with TB and lost 48 of the alpacas which was the entire herd. I had to use the savings we made over Covid that was supposed to get the house watertight.

“I also had to purchase an entire herd of alpacas to reopen the business because notifiable illnesses are not covered by insurance. In March 2022 we basically had to start the business from scratch with nothing but our reputation.”

On the farm, she and partner Stuart, who purchased the property in 2011, also sell various meat products, including alpaca meat, items made with wool sheared from the animals and there is a cafe on site.

Emma said: “It’s not easy but you just have to carry on. You haven’t really got any choice.”