SANDPOINT - The Bonner County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting of an alpaca at Snowmass Alpacas.

Snowmass co-owner Julie Skinner said the dead alpaca was discovered on Wednesday. It's believed the animal was shot either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

The South American camelid was one of Snowmass' studs.

"It's tragic for us, but it's nice to know that the police are on it," Skinner said on Thursday.

It's suspected that the alpaca was shot from Colburn Culver Road by somebody who mistook it for an elk. As many as three sets of footprints were discovered in a field and in a circle around the slain animal.

"They shot to kill and you could see the tracks leading to the animal," said Skinner.

Skinner does not believe it was a random or drive-by shooting because those involved inspected the animal after shooting it.

Elk and other big game will commingle with alpacas, although Skinner doesn't think the shooter was targeting wildlife and accidentally hit the alpaca because snow levels in upper elevations have yet to drive elk down toward the valley floor.

"They haven't come down into the pastures with the stocks this year yet," said Skinner.

Snowmass Alpaca, which has 900 head on its 700-acre ranch, raises the animals for breeding and commercial fiber.

Those who may have heard or seen suspicious activity on Colburn Culver or Rapid Lightning Creek roads around the time of the shooting are urged to call sheriff's officials.