In this July 11, 2016 photo, Agustin Mayta Condori shows his sick alpaca that he predicted would die the next day due to sub-freezing temperatures in San Antonio de Putina in the Puno region of Peru.

(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

At a Glance

Bitter cold leaves tens of thousands of alpacas dead in Peru.Threatens the livelihood of shepherds who rely on the fleece to feed their families.

A severe cold snap has killed tens of thousands of alpacas in the southern Andes, prompting government officials in Peru to declare a state of emergency.

According to the Associated Press, the bitter cold is to blame for the death of at least 50,000 alpacas. An estimated 300,000 more are at risk if temperatures remain at -9 degrees Fahrenheit, which would be devastating for the indigenous families who rely on the silky fleece from the animals to make their living.

The government promises $3 million in relief to farmers in the region to offset the loss, but the shepherds say it's not enough.

A Place Where Few Animals Survive

At 15,000 feet above sea level, alpacas and sheep are the only animals able to survive the harsh elements of the grassy plateaus. The sheep are being hit hard by the cold snap, as well.

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With an estimated 3.5 million alpacas,, according to the Economist. However, the animals are dying from hunger because the grasslands remain covered in snow and ice except when the harsh midday sun melts through the ice, burning the already damaged vegetation, according to AP.

Fleece for the Rich

The AP notes that while the fleece is coveted by the world's top designers, such as Armani and Gucci, who charge exorbitant amounts for clothing made from the silky, natural fiber, Peruvian shepherds face a daily struggle because of the elements and poverty. The loss of even one alpaca can prove devastating to impoverished families.

There are more than 120,000 families that earn a living from shearing alpaca fleece, making as little as $1,200 a year, which works out to be less than half of Peru's minimum wage. Some families resort to sending their children away from home to work in illegal mines or Peru’s cocaine trade.

A lack of heating in most homes and malnutrition accentuated by the alpaca deaths also affects the children of Peru. The government estimates that 14,000 children in the Andes have suffered from respiratory illnesses since the cold season began two months ago and 105 died, according to AP.