Bulgarian Zoo Welcomes Its First Baby Alpaca

Jerusalem, 9 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Kardzhali, Southern Bulgaria (BTA) – A white baby alpaca was born at the Borovitsa zoo near Kardzhali Reservoir in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. Just a few days old, Bambi is the first alpaca born at the small zoo, where its mother, Mocha, and three other alpacas have been living alongside other animals for several months.

Bambi was born in torrential rain. Although the birth was expected, it was an emotional moment, said the animals’ owner, Mehmed Hayrula.

Hayrula said he had been keeping alpacas for several months. He decided to buy them to attract visitors to his family hotel on the shores of the reservoir. With no previous experience, he bought the first two animals through an online advertisement from Lovech Region, choosing them by colour – one black and one white. He later discovered that he had bought two males.

He then learned that alpacas were being sold in the neighbouring Momchilgrad Municipality and bought two females, Latte and Mocha, the latter expecting a baby in November. The other female, Latte, is also expecting a baby.

Now just a few days old, little Bambi is already running around with the other alpacas in the group. Hayrula said that keeping them was no different from raising sheep and goats. He is convinced that they are adapting well to the Rhodope Mountains, although their native habitat is South America.

“They are hardy animals, and their wool protects them from both high and low temperatures,” Hayrula said.