Shrek is New Zealand’s most famous sheep which gained international fame
in 2004 after evading capture for six years by hiding in a cave. This
merino wether (castrated male sheep) carried 27 kg worth of fleece. He
was named after the fictional character in films and books of the same
name. The cunning sheep lost his giant fleece in a televised shearing on
28 April 2004. His fleece contained enough wool to make 20 large men’s
suits.
Shrek is New Zealand’s most famous sheep which gained international fame in 2004 after evading capture for six years by hiding in a cave. This merino wether (castrated male sheep) carried 27 kg worth of fleece. He was named after the fictional character in films and books of the same name. The cunning sheep lost his giant fleece in a televised shearing on 28 April 2004. His fleece contained enough wool to make 20 large men’s suits.
Shrek became a national icon in New Zealand, a country that is known for its large sheep population (the country is said to have more sheep than people). Shrek was also the only sheep who met Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and flown on planes to visit many sick children and retirement homes around the country. His giant fleece was auctioned off in 2004 for children’s medical charities. When the fleece grew long enough, the sheep was shorn again on live TV after his initial shearing – this time on an iceberg floating off the coast of Dunedin in order to celebrate his tenth birthday.
On 6 June 2011, Shrek was put down on the advice of a veterinary surgeon. After being cremated, his ashes was scattered on a nearby mountain. The sheep’s funeral service was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of scenic Lake Tekapo and his owner John Perriam planned to spread his ashes on top of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook.
