Alpaca farm caught between neighbors and authorities

Alpacas are known for their calm temperament, but several of them have caused considerable unrest in Ensingen, a district of Vaihingen. Behind Patrick Stellmach's house, the animals graze while four await offspring. Whether the herd can stay remains uncertain.

Stellmach, 38, fulfilled a long-held dream when he started breeding alpacas around a year and a half ago. The former Bosch engineer also wanted to give children from the region the chance to experience nature. At the end of 2024, Vaihingen approved fencing and a shelter subject to conditions. In return, Stellmach promised free visits for kindergartens and schools. The city described the farm as an example of an administration that helps make projects possible.

That arrangement came under pressure after a neighbor complained, including about odors. The neighbors could not be reached for comment. Stellmach says the animals are neither noisy nor particularly smelly.

The Stuttgart regional authority takes a different view of the legal situation. It considers the city's agreement probably invalid, which would make the facility formally an unauthorized building. Stellmach would need either a recognized agricultural business or a development plan to keep the animal operation, and neither exists, the authority says.

Stellmach has already identified possible replacement sites, but he says a move within a week would not be compatible with the welfare of the pregnant animals. He has started a petition that gives him several more months.

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Enabling administration