Recommendation: For participation in the NAIS, we recommend the implanted microchip as the preferred method for identification of camelids.
Background: Implanted microchips are already commonly used in camelids and have widespread acceptance among owners. In 2004, breed registries reported that approximately 44% of alpacas and 10% of llamas in their databases had been implanted with microchips. In 2005, the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) began to require a verifiable implanted microchip in all alpacas in any AOBA show or event, and this requirement has likely increased the percentage of alpacas with microchips. An on-line industry survey conducted by the Camelid Working Group between February 7 and March 11, 2006, also provided support for implanted microchips. Some 1,756 responses from an estimated 5% of camelid owners were received. Approximately 68% of respondents indicated an implanted microchip was currently present in at least one of their camelids. Given a choice of implanted microchips, ear tags of any type and tattoos, 91% of respondents preferred implanted microchips as the single method to use for camelid identification in the NAIS.