A rogue-grown sheep found throughout the Australian region has been cut off from its 35kg fleece – a weight even greater than that of the famous New Zealand sheep Shrek, who was caught free in 2005 after six years is.
The merino ram, named by rescuers Baarack, was discovered wandering around alone with an extraordinarily overgrown wool coat and was immediately shaved to save his life.
Kyle Behrend, of the Edgar’s Mission Farm Reserve, told Reuters that it appears Baarack “was once a sheep” who escaped. Merino sheep do not shed their fleece and must be sheared at least annually as their wool continues to grow.
The diamond shed was found near Lancefield in Victoria, and rescuers said he had ‘eaten a living’ with small shoots of grass.
“He was over-labeled at one point, but it looks like it was torn out by the thick, matte fleece around his face,” Behrend said. “He was a little bad. He was underweight and because of all the wool around his face he could barely see. ”
Baarack is the latest in a long line of very large and woolly sheep that are making international headlines.
In 2005, Shrek became a beloved celebrity in New Zealand after six years of dodging and growing to a tremendous size.
VERY LARGE SHEEP
He was eventually cut off from his 27kg fleece and even met New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark before dying in 2011.
A 2014 Guardian Australia analysis estimated that Shrek’s fleece could be used to produce 47.3 jumpers.
Based on an assumption of 70%, Baarack’s wool would be equal to 61.3 wool sweaters, or 490 pairs of men’s socks.
Shrek’s legacy lives on in his homeland, with TVNZ announcing Baarack’s discovery with the caption: “Lost Australian sheep bring back memories of our own Shrek.”
In 2014, another escaped merino ram, named Shaun, a 23.5kg fleece was found in New Zealand.
Last year in Australia, an escaped ewe – eventually also called Ewenice – was relieved of her 20kg fleece after being discovered in central Victoria.
But all sheep, Baarack included, are still pale compared to Chris, a Canberran ram found in 2005 with a world record of 41 kg fleece – twice his body weight.
Chris’ fleece was donated to the National Museum of Australia, where it sits in a large display case. The enlightened sheep was adopted to live comfortably on a sanctuary until his death in 2019.
Behrend said Baarack adapted well to his new weight and moved in with other sheep on the farm.