In a true testament to the saying that a happy life is a long life, Hawthornden Wainui, a 27-year-old alpaca from New Zealand, has officially been named the world’s oldest living alpaca by Guinness World Records.

Owned by Vicki and Alex Cordier of Wainuiomata, a suburb of Wellington, Hawthornden Wainui was verified for the record on July 6, 2025, at the age of 27 years and 185 days. He is significantly older than the typical alpaca lifespan, which ranges from 15 to 20 years.

The Cordiers believe that their alpaca’s remarkable longevity is a result of his easy-going and pampered lifestyle. “Alpacas usually live 15-20 years so Wainui is a very, very, very old man,” Vicki Cordier told Guinness World Records. Now a bit of a “grumpy old man,” Wainui enjoys his special diet and spends his days in his own paddock with his companions, a goat named Barney and a sheep named Squeak. He also gets to wear a cozy winter coat to keep him warm.

Wainui’s journey to this record was not without its challenges. When he was just five years old, he miraculously survived after eating a poisonous oleander bush, a testament to his strong spirit.

To prove his record-breaking age, Wainui posed with a dated newspaper, a charming tradition for verifying these types of records. According to his owners, Wainui’s journey to this record was not without its challenges.

The Cordiers are thrilled with their alpaca’s record. “It’s amazing for us to have an animal holding a Guinness World Records title,” Vicki said. “He’s one very special alpaca.”