Vicuñas use the open, flat landscapes to spot predators. They have adapted to survive with relatively little water and feed off the sparse, hardy vegetation of the grasslands. Their coats protect them from the cold and dry temperatures that characterize such high altitudes.
Vicuñas’ natural predators include mountain lions, foxes, and Andean condors. However, these animals can avoid predators due to their agility, speed, and a keen sense of hearing and sight. The most dangerous threat to vicuñas are probably humans. They were almost hunted to extinction for their wool and were considered an endangered species in the 1960s. Then, reserves were made to protect them. Now, they are no longer considered endangered, so I do not think there is a reason to be worried about their safety. Even so, it is important to be mindful of the demand for their wool and the practices for obtaining their wool so that they do not become endangered again.
