Alpacas Arrive In Norristown: Elmwood Gets New Stars

NORRISTOWN, PA — Elmwood Park Zoo may be closed to the public as some pretty epic renovations get underway, but that doesn't mean that the zoo isn't still growing.

The zoo announced last week that a delegation of the fluffy, llama-adjacent camelids hailing from the Andean highlands, known as alpacas, has arrived in Norristown.

The three males came courtesty of Silkie's Farm in Chester Springs. The boys are all musically inclined: they're named Redemption Song, Ring Starr, and Lyrical Gangsta.

The zoo said their arrival went smoothly.

"(The alpacas) quickly settled in got acquainted with the keeper staff," Elmwood said Friday. "Many floofy pets were enjoyed."

Alpacas are native to northern Peru and the highlands of the Andes Mountains. While they're closely related to llamas, they're much smaller. Alpacas were domesticated chiefly for their fleecey coats, used to make textiles.

The zoo remains shut down until the end of February. A new state-of-the art animal hospital and welcome center are under construction.