Shrek (sheep)

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Shrek is a New Zealand merino ram who gained international fame in 2004 after he avoided being caught and shorn for six years. Merinos are normally shorn annually, but Shrek apparently hid in caves, avoiding muster. He was named after the fictional character.[1]

After being caught on April 15 2004, the ram was shorn by a professional in 20 minutes on April 28. The shearing was broadcast on national television in New Zealand. [2][3] His fleece, weighing 27 kg (60 lb) contained enough wool to make vests for 20 men.

Shrek became a national icon. He was taken to parliament to meet the New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark in May 2004.[4][5] To celebrate his tenth birthday, 30 months after his initial shearing, Shrek was shorn on an iceberg floating off the coast of Dunedin, New Zealand.[6][7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Hermit sheep 'Shrek' shorn of 6-year-old woolly fleece", China Daily, 2004-04-29. Retrieved on 2007-12-04. 
  2. ^ "NZ's famous sheep gets TV haircut", BBC, 2004-04-28. Retrieved on 2007-12-04. 
  3. ^ "Shrek the sheep shorn at last", BBC, 2004-04-28. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 
  4. ^ "Celebrity sheep meets NZ leader", BBC, 2004-05-03. Retrieved on 2007-12-04. 
  5. ^ "Southland Shrek's sheep romance fizzles", New Zealand Herald, 2005-11-14. Retrieved on 2007-12-04. 
  6. ^ "Shrek the sheep has close shave on ice", The Age, 2006-11-29. Retrieved on 2007-12-04. 
  7. ^ "Dunedin-Shrek the sheep shorn on an iceberg", NZPA, 2006-11-28. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. 
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