Peruvian authorities ordered the moving of nearly 28,000 camelids (alpacas and llamas) of the herds that live near the Ubinas volcano because of the seismic activity that has covered their pastures in ash.
The director of the state Agrorural program, Alvaro Quiñe, said that the country's Agriculture Ministry ordered to move the camelids to safer areas lower down the mountains.
Last Tuesday (April 15), the 5,672-metre Ubinas volcano spewed 4,000-metre high ash cloud prompting officials to declare a state of emergency for 60 days in the towns surrounding Ubinas.
According to INGEMMET, the national geologic, mining and metallurgical institute, the volcano's activity increased this week, with several small to moderate explosions since last Sunday. The volcano, which has been active again since September last year, erupted on March 29.
The Agriculture Ministry plans to distribute 60 tons of feed for the animals, while the Moquegua regional government will come up with an additional 20 tons.
According to EFE, the mayor of San Juan de Tarucani, Floro Choque, said that the evacuated local stockmen can drive their livestock to pasture during the day and then return to the shelter.
Ubinas, in Peru's southern region of Moquegua, is considered the most active volcano in Peru. Eruptions have been reported since 1550.
In 2006, an eruption of cinder and toxic gases from Ubinas killed livestock and forced a similar evacuation.
(END) INT/DLG
Published: 4/19/2014