Rio BioParque alpacas get names: Machu and Picchu

Machu and Picchu: the alpaca pair newly arrived at Rio’s BioParque had their names picked by the public via a QR vote and Instagram.

Rio’s BioParque has officially named its newest residents. The white-coated male is now Machu, while the caramel-colored female has been named Picchu. The winning names were chosen by visitors and social followers in a public vote.

People could take part in two ways: scanning a QR Code available inside the park or voting through the official Instagram account (@bioparquedorio). The campaign boosted engagement and tied the announcement to the species’ roots.

The names reference Machu Picchu in Peru and nod to the alpaca’s Andean origins. Alpacas come from highland regions of South America, including Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, and are known for their gentle, curious behavior and long-standing connection to traditional communities.

Arrival and adaptation process

The pair arrived at BioParque do Rio on December 17 and were introduced to visitors before receiving official names. During that period, the animals went through a careful adaptation process under the supervision of the park’s technical and veterinary teams.

Before entering the exhibit area, they underwent clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and ongoing welfare monitoring. After the protocols were completed, the alpacas were cleared to explore the Farmyard area (Fazendinha) at a calm pace, quickly drawing attention from the public.

Public naming has become a signature

BioParque do Rio has used public participation before. The park is also home to the “Axolotl Kingdom,” a space dedicated to one of the planet’s most unusual species, where an axolotl named Axl Rose lives.

That name was also chosen by the public and later gained international attention after Guns N’ Roses reposted the axolotl “namesake” on the band’s official Instagram. With scenery inspired by Mexican culture, the area explains the species’ story and the challenges of conservation, since axolotls are a biodiversity symbol and are currently threatened with extinction.

What visitors can expect

Located at Quinta da Boa Vista, BioParque do Rio hosts around 650 animals from 124 species, spread across 56 habitats. Along the route, visitors find educational zones, interactive attractions, food options, and experiences designed for different age groups.

Service

BioParque do Rio

Opening: open every day through the end of January

Address: Parque da Quinta da Boa Vista, s/n – São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil

Tickets: available on BioParque do Rio’s official website

Foto: Divulgação