Newborn alpaca is a Christmas surprise in Kula
Newborn alpaca Noel (from left) relaxes alongside mom Hope and aunty Faith at Kula Cottontail Farm. Photos courtesy of Kula Cottontail Farm
Christmas miracle baby “Noel” surprised everyone Friday. Christine and Sam Heidema of Kula Cottontail Farm had bred the alpacas twice since the first time was thought unsuccessful.
Newborn alpaca Noel sticks close to mom Hope at Kula Cottontail Farm. Noel was born Friday, a Christmas surprise.
Newborn alpaca Noel (from left) relaxes alongside mom Hope and aunty Faith at Kula Cottontail Farm. Photos courtesy of Kula Cottontail Farm
Christmas miracle baby “Noel” surprised everyone Friday. Christine and Sam Heidema of Kula Cottontail Farm had bred the alpacas twice since the first time was thought unsuccessful.
Newborn alpaca Noel sticks close to mom Hope at Kula Cottontail Farm. Noel was born Friday, a Christmas surprise.
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The Maui News
Like the shepherds watching their flocks by night, Christine and Sam Heidema were startled by the arrival of a newborn baby.
The owners of Kula Cottontail Farm discovered that one of their female alpacas, Hope, had given birth to a baby alpaca Friday.
"My husband walks into the room and he goes, 'Do you know there's a baby alpaca in the yard?' I didn't believe him for the first five minutes," Christine Heidema said Sunday.
The Heidemas had bred the alpacas 11 1/2 months ago but didn't think the breeding took. Usually pregnant female alpacas will spit at males when they're pregnant, but Hope didn't do that during the second breeding in May. So, the Heidemas assumed she'd give birth in April. (Alpacas have a gestation period of 11 1/2 months.)
When the new baby arrived, the couple was caught off guard. The Heidemas now have five alpacas on their farm in Kula, in addition to 20 rabbits and 10 sheep, whose wool they collect all year to spin and knit garments to sell at the Upcountry Farmers Market during Christmastime.
Christine Heidema said their farm is one of three on Maui that has alpacas. She said Kula offers the perfect climate for the animals, who are "just the most peaceful creatures."
The Christmas miracle baby was named "Noel."