vicuña
Wild llama relative
A vicuña is a wild South American camelid native to the high Andes, related to the llama and alpaca but smaller and more slender.
Vicuñas produce extremely fine, soft wool that has been prized since Incan times and remains among the most expensive natural fibers in the world.
The animal was once near extinction due to overhunting but has recovered under protection.
The word also refers to the fabric made from vicuña wool: a vicuña coat can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Pacific coast republic
- BoliviaAndean republic, two capitals
- ChileSlender Andean coastal nation
- EcuadorCountry at zero latitude
- AndesSouth American western range
altiplano · cordillera · plateau · mountains · altitude · indigenous · Quechua · Inca
Wild Andean llama relative
- llamaDomesticated Andean pack animal
- herbivorePlant-only consumer
- ungulateMammal with hooves
- ruminantMulti-stomached grazing mammal
herd · grazing · fleece · shearing · domestication · wild · mammal · hoofed
At risk of extinction
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- protectionGuarding against harm
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
reserve · national park · threatened · wildlife · preservation · sustainable harvest · quota · illegal trade
Yielding to gentle pressure
- warmthHeat you feel
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- shawlDraped shoulder covering
scarf · coat · sweater · suit · garment · apparel · fabric · woven
Peru
Pacific coast republic
- BoliviaAndean republic, two capitals
- ChileSlender Andean coastal nation
- EcuadorCountry at zero latitude
Andes · altiplano · cordillera · plateau · mountains · altitude · indigenous · Quechua · Inca · South America
guanaco
Wild Andean llama relative
ruminant · herd · grazing · fleece · shearing · domestication · wild · mammal · hoofed · dromedary
endangered
At risk of extinction
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- protectionGuarding against harm
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
sanctuary · reserve · national park · threatened · wildlife · preservation · sustainable harvest · quota · illegal trade · enforcement
softness
Yielding to gentle pressure
- warmthHeat you feel
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
shawl · scarf · coat · sweater · suit · garment · apparel · fabric · woven · fine
cashmere
Fine goat-derived textile
mohair · angora · lambswool · spinning · weaving · knitting · fleece · yarn · thread · textile
expensive
Costing much money
prized · coveted · elite · prestige · haute couture · high-end · designer · bespoke · artisan · handcrafted