Awards

In 2024 our trustee Matt Yorke was awarded the Benavides Trophy, in recognition of all the work he has done for the benefit and welfare of llamas in the UK.

The Benavides Trophy is the most prestigious award in the UK camelid industry (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicuña, camels). Each year the charity British Camelids awards the trophy to the person who has contributed the most to the benefit and knowledge of the whole of the UK camelid community, and was presented to Matt as a result of the work he has done over the past six years rehoming hundreds of llamas and guanacos from across the UK, sometimes in very challenging conditions.

The trophy is in memory of Dr Felipe Benavides, who played a major role in saving the beautiful vicuña from extinction (the undomesticated South American ancestor of the alpaca).

Additionally, Matt was invited to become a Trustee of British Camelids, which he accepted.

In 2025, British Camelids chose not to award the Benavides Trophy to another individual, meaning Matt still retains it for the year.