CANBERRA (AUSTRALIA) – Rescue workers in Australia gave solace to a wild and ailing sheep found in a forest by shearing its fleece, for the first time in many years, which weighed more than 35 kg.
Named Baarack by rescuers, the sheep was found by a member of the public who contacted the Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary near Lancefield, Victoria, which is 60 kilometres north of Melbourne, said Kyle Behrend of the mission.
“It would appear Baarack was once an owned sheep,” said Behrend, “he had at one time been ear-tagged, however these appear to have been torn out by the thick matted fleece around his face.
“Sheep need to be shorn at least annually otherwise the fleece continues to grow and grow, as happened here,” said Behrend.
“Whilst his hooves were in great condition from running over the rocks in the forest, he was in a bit of a bad way. He was underweight, and due to all of the wool around his face he could barely see.”
Behrend said Baarack is now settling at Edgar’s Mission with the other rescued sheep, adding it “all goes to show what incredibly resilient and brave animals sheep really are and we could not love them any more if we tried.”