World's oldest alpaca reaches grand old age of 27 thanks to pampered lifestyle

The world’s oldest alpaca, Hawthornden Wainui, is living a blessed and pampered life in New Zealand.

He’s got it so easy that his loving owners Vicki and Alex Cordier (both New Zealand) think it’s his breezy lifestyle that’s kept him around for so long.

And although these shots of him posing with newspapers make him look a bit like a ransom victim, Wainui is actually just posing up with a dated document to prove he’s a record breaker.

He was officially named the oldest living alpaca in captivity on 6 July at the age of 27 years 185 days.

“Alpacas usually live 15-20 years so Wainui is a very, very, very old man,” Vicki explained.

Wainui has lived on Vicki’s farm since 2002.

He was born on an alpaca farm named Hawthornden on 2 January 1998.

Then at a young age, he came to New Zealand with his mother and lived in Wainui Bay – hence his name.

Vicki ended up bringing him home after her sister saw an auction for alpacas and she became obsessed with the animals.

Wainui spends his days how he wants to, eating as much as he wants for breakfast before heading out to the paddock for a wander.

But only long enough to work up an appetite and head back inside for more food.

And Vicki says if his dinner is late, she’s guaranteed to find him standing there waiting for it.

Vicki with Oscar, one of Wainui's alpaca friends

“The personality of my lovely Wainui is now a bit of a grumpy old man,” she said.

“In his younger days, he would be the herd lookout – sitting on a high vantage point watching the world go by.”

Vicki added: “In his old age, unfortunately his exercise is limited to the two small paddocks outside.

“His eyesight isn’t so good so he finds his way by the familiar routes that he’s made.

“Wainui is a very calm alpaca, he’s always got on well with all the other alpacas in our herd.

“Now though, he lives in the daytime in his own paddock with Barney the goat watching over him, and Squeak the sheep.”

Wainui, who even has his own fan club, is also a bit of a fashionista, with Vicki explaining he loves wearing his coat in winter to stay cosy.

On how he’s lived so long, Vicki theorises: “I believe the secret to his longevity is the comfort in which he lives.

“He has access to the shelter all day and the first little bit of rain, he’ll be inside siting it out until it’s dry again.”

She added: “It’s amazing for us to have an animal holding a Guinness World Records title.

“He’s one very special alpaca.”