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In 2023, Mike Couvrette and Helena Katz were evacuated from Fort Smith to Hay River because of a wildfire. They soon had to evacuate again with Hay River itself threatened, losing their animals in the harrowing journey.
For the past three years, Katz said she has been processing the loss. This spring, she said she finally felt ready “to start over” and bring alpacas back to Flat World Alpaca Farm.
Alpacas were readily found thanks to friends in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and a long search for a dog to guard them brought Maya, a maremma sheepdog, from a Saskatchewan breeder to the North.
Couvrette drove the five alpacas to Fort Smith last week, taking frequent breaks to allow two only born in June to nurse. He said those stops attracted “a bit of a crowd” as people requested photos or had questions.
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“Most people don’t realize that they are adaptable to our northern environment,” said Couvrette.
He said alpacas are usually comfortable outside down to -35C, but the farm has a barn they can use for warmth.
The other challenge in the North is that no one grows hay, so Katz said they have to ship it from Alberta.
Katz said alpacas are low maintenance and their fleece – which has to be sheared once a year – can be used to make yarn or dryer balls.
Katz said they hope to bring back farm visits where people can come into the pen and feed the alpacas, but the priority is making sure the alpacas and dog are comfortable.
They are also wanting to learn more about each alpaca’s personality, which Katz said is “part of the fun” of explaining the animals to visitors.
