Animal shelter shaves 78-pound fleece of rescued sheep after years in Australian forests

AUSTRALIA – An Australian animal shelter has cut off a 78-pound fleece from a rescue sheep that has been roaming the wild for several years, rescuers said.

The overloaded shelter, named Baarack, was found “wandering” in the rugged Victorian bushveld by a property maintenance man who took it to Edgar’s Mission in Lancefield, Victoria in early February.

In the video filmed by Edgar’s Mission staff on February 5, Baarack struggles to balance himself under the weight of his carpets and dirty fleece.

“It’s a good place to be, ole ‘mate,’ a man hears the sheep tell.

Edgar’s Mission told Storyful that Baarack was ‘doing so well’ and used to living in the shelter.

He picked up more than 35 kilograms of wool, according to CNN.

“We really believe he understands what we did for him, made his life easier and turned for the better,” they said. “For the time being, he’s going on with equally happy other rescued sheep.”

Baarack’s before-and-after photos went viral online.

If you do not know, sheep need people to decorate their wool. If left untreated, it is bad for their health.

Storyful and CNN contributed to this article.