NWT couple bring back alpacas to their Fort Smith farm

NWT couple bring back alpacas to their Fort Smith farm Miriam Bosiljevac and Alice Twa Thursday September 24, 2026 at 5:58am MT An alpaca poses for a photo at the NWT border on its way to Fort Smith. Photo: Submitted Share Advertisement. In 2023, Mike Couvrette and Helena Katz were evacuated from Fort Smith to Hay River because of a wildfire. They soon had to evacuate again with Hay River itself threatened, losing their animals in the harrowing journey. For the past three years, Katz said she has been processing the loss. This spring, she said she finally felt ready “to start over” and bring alpacas back to Flat World Alpaca Farm. Alpacas were readily found thanks to friends in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and a long search for a dog to guard them brought Maya, a maremma sheepdog, from a Saskatchewan breeder to the North. Alpacas grazing at their new home, Flat World Alpaca Farm. Photo: Submitted Couvrette drove the five alpacas to Fort Smith last week, taking frequent breaks to allow two only born in June to nurse. He said those stops attracted “a bit of a crowd” as people requested photos or had questions. Advertisement. Advertisement. “Most people don’t realize that they are adaptable to our northern environment,” said Couvrette. He said alpacas are usually comfortable outside down to -35C, but the farm has a barn they can use for warmth. The other challenge in the North is that no one grows hay, so Katz said they have to ship it from Alberta. Katz said alpacas are low maintenance and their fleece – which has to be sheared once a year – can be used to make yarn or dryer balls. Alpaca babies Fiona and Autumn, also known as crias, in their new home. Photo: Submitted Katz said they hope to bring back farm visits where people can come into the pen and feed the alpacas, but the priority is making sure the alpacas and dog are comfortable. They are also wanting to learn more about each alpaca’s personality, which Katz said is “part of the fun” of explaining the animals to visitors. Related Articles Boris the NWT alpaca attempts to become Guelph beer mascot May 4, 2023 ‘It was hell. We lost everything. The NWT has to learn from it.’ February 21, 2024 Fort Smith food producers wrestle with what the changing climate means September 16, 2026 Top Stories We want to hear your experiences of the NWT’s criminal justice system September 24, 2026 Tuk mayor says coastal armouring saved hamlet during 2025 storm surge September 24, 2026 Redknife River…