Firies put to the test in alpaca rescue

A Fire & Rescue crew had an unexpected call-out this morning after an alpaca became stuck in a dam in Sydney's north-west.

Station Officer Bill Smith said they had been called out to Londonderry early this morning.

The alpaca, Magnum, was trapped in the dam up to his girth.

Mr Smith said the animal was "a little bit distressed".

With the assistance of a technical rescue vehicle crew, the firefighters were able to get some lassos around the alpaca and haul it out of the mud.

"It was a successful rescue," Mr Smith said.

The alpaca appeared to be in good health, but will be checked by a vet later.

Owner Brock Cauchi, who was given the alpaca as a 14th birthday present in 2011, said the animal had probably been stuck for about four hours.

Initially, he said, Magnum had only been stuck to a depth of about half a metre.

"He was really stressed at the time, but he's out and running around," Mr Cauchi said.