It's still around, but the excitement is gone. Breeding stock becomes the focus of attention rather than the basic use of the animal for meat, work, hide, fur, or feathers. In the past the program covered only American bison and cattalo or beefalo. In view of the demand, small-scale entrepreneurs find it profitable to market federally inspected meat from certain exotic animals. For the moment, the biggest dollar demand is for such exotics as ostriches and South American humpless camels such as llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas.
Little demand is noted for Alaska's yaks or musk oxen.
It is published quarterly by Terry and Kathy Price at 925 W. Culver, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Owners contend llamas excel as 300-pound pets. USDA's Forest Service people traveling into wilderness country often use llamas as pack animals instead of horses or mules, both of which are ecologically more intrusive. It publishes educational brochures. Despite its intimidating appearance and large size, the water buffalo's gentleness contrasts sharply with the ferocity of the African cape buffalo.