Health and Safety Guide

A safety guide to walking with alpacas. 

We politely ask all guests to sign our online waiver to say they have read and understood our terms and conditions before attending an alpaca walk. All walks MUST be pre-booked; there are NO walk-ins. Please note you can only book to accompany an alpaca with a booking to walk an alpaca.

• All guests must attend a safety briefing where they will be instructed on the safety aspects of the walk and how to walk their alpaca to ensure his comfort and safety. Details of this briefing are listed below – and customers are required to sign the on-line Disclaimer Form for ALL participants, prior to attending the walk. Customers who do not sign this will not be allowed to participate on the Alpaca Walk. A parent or responsible adult will be required to sign for and on behalf of children under the age of 16yrs old.
• As our alpaca walks often have different groups of customers going out on the same walk, we cannot ‘delay’ a walk for customers who turn up late. So please ensure you arrive early for your booking to avoid any delays.
• If you have booked an alpaca walk and are running late, or cannot attend on the day, please email us at hello@bucklandparklake.co.uk as soon as possible to let us know. We will try to reschedule where possible, but this is not guaranteed.
• Children under the age of 8yrs old are not allowed on the alpaca walks. Please always keep all minors under control. Children must be 12yrs old or above to lead an alpaca. Children 8yrs to 11yrs may accompany the walk only. There must be a minimum of 1 adult to 2 minors, (8-15yrs old)
• We will take a maximum of 4 alpacas per walk and due to them being herd animals a minimum of 2.
• Please note you must walk the alpaca assigned to you for the duration of the walk. Guests must not swap alpacas and those with a ticket to accompany only will not be permitted to lead one.
• Buckland Park Lake assumes no responsibility for any accident, injury or other unforeseen event which may occur during the conduct of meeting, interacting or walking the alpacas.
• Alpaca walks could be a higher risk activity for those who are pregnant, young, old, and infirm or for people with medical conditions. Please declare any relevant medical conditions prior to booking.
• Alpacas can be unpredictable, as can all animals, and in some circumstances, they can react in an unexpected manner to the environment, to the conduct of walkers and other third parties, or other animals with which they might meet while on the walk. Every precaution has been taken to minimise the associated risks. However, we cannot be held responsible for any untoward or unforeseen incidents. Please take care and listen carefully to instructions prior to the alpaca walk.
• Correct footwear is essential, guests with inadequate footwear WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to go out on a walk. All customers wishing to go out on an alpaca walk must sign this disclaimer, this includes those accompanying them.
• There must be a minimum of 1 adult accompanying a maximum of 2 children. In the case of children under 16 the form must be signed on their behalf by a parent or carer or by an adult accepting responsibility for the child. All children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
•  
• The Alpaca Walk lasts around 1 hour and takes place around the park. The ground is undulating, can be muddy and uneven and is all ‘off road’ along grass paths and tracks. The ground can be slippery at times, so we suggest proper walking boots, wellingtons, or stout trainers and in the winter suitable wet weather or outdoor clothing.
• Please note we do not allow customers with unsuitable footwear, such as flip flops, open toe shoes or high heels to go on walks for Health and Safety reasons.
• No umbrellas, wheelchairs, buggies, or prams are allowed on the alpaca walk.
• No dogs are allowed on the walk. 
• No musical instruments, radios, or other equipment for playing music will be allowed on a walk. Please ensure that your phone is on silent and refrain from using it during the walk other than when we stop to take photos.
• All guests must remain quiet and calm around the alpacas and not make any sudden movements. Any continued unacceptable behaviour may result in cancelling or discontinuing the walk. Under these circumstances NO refund will be given.
• Customers with medical problems such as asthma or heart disease, with walking or lower limb problems or with a low level of fitness should consider if they will be able to manage the alpaca walk prior to booking it. This is a strenuous activity.
• The alpacas are all well trained and used to human contact, however like all animals they can be unpredictable and may be spooked at any time. We ask our guests to pay full attention to their alpaca during the walk and only to take photos when we stop for this purpose.
• The lead rope should be always held with two hands and MUST NOT be wrapped around the walker’s hand or the alpaca’s neck or allowed to dangle on the floor or touch the alpaca.
• If an alpaca spooks and the walker feels they are unable to hold the alpaca and may get pulled over then let go of the rope. If the alpaca does break away from a walker, please remain calm as it is unlikely that the alpaca will move far from the group and one of the guides will collect the alpaca.
• Alpacas are herd animals and like to be near to the others so if one falls behind you will be asked to wait until they catch up. If an alpaca needs a toilet stop again, please wait until they are finished.
• Alpacas do not like a tight lead rope or to be dragged so encourage them forward using a short pull-release-pull-release movement and allow them time to observe a new situation.
• Alpacas are generally very kind & docile however they can sometimes kick if they feel they are being ‘crowded’ by others, so we advise walkers not to get too close to the back of other alpacas during the walk.
• Alpacas may sometimes spit. However, they very rarely spit at people, but they do sometimes spit at each other. So, to avoid this always keep a small distance from other alpacas during the walk and when we stop to feed or take photos.
• Please only stroke your alpaca on the neck, please avoid touching their head or back.
• When we stop to feed your alpaca carrots just feed one piece of carrot at a time and hold it flat on the palm of your hand and the alpaca will gently take the carrot off your open palm.
• Once back from the walk the alpacas will be taken from you and the guides will remove their halters. Please do not attempt to do this yourself.
• It is essential for guests to wash their hands with hot soapy water after handling and feeding the alpacas at the end of the walk. We will carry hand sanitiser during the walk if customers would like to use this after feeding the alpacas.