Yesterday, I told you about the unsheared merino sheep in Australia, well here is the follow up – and how they sheared it! Again, copied from the BBC News website.
If you’re not familiar with how the merino sheep normally looks, or what its wool looks like when prepared for spinning – it is the most popular fibre for hand spinners – have a look at my post on Merino Wool HERE
Overgrown Australian sheep Chris ‘breaks world record’
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3 September 2015
- From the section Australia
An overgrown Australian sheep affectionately named Chris has set a new unofficial world record following a hair cut from five shearers.
Welfare crews warned it risked death because it was so woolly from living in the wild for several years.
More than 40kg (88lb) of wool was removed in what the RSPCA says is the heaviest wool haul from one shearing.
National shearing champion Ian Elkins was urgently called in on Wednesday to tackle the mammoth merino.
Image copyrightRSPCA
Image copyrightRSPCA
Mr Elkins described Thursday’s marathon sheering session as one of his biggest challenges, saying he had never seen anything like it in 35 years of work.
Image copyrightRSPCAChris the sheep had to be sedated during the very delicate operation.
Image copyrightRSCPAMr Elkins said he was proud Australia had claimed the title from New Zealand, likening it to “the rivalry on the rugby field”.
Image copyrightRSCPAThe massive bundle of fleece tipped the scales at more than 42kg (92lb), but was revised down to 40kg (88lb) to counter the weight of the bag.
Image copyrightRSPCAAnimal welfare officials said Chris was “four-to-five times its normal size” before going under the knife.
Image copyrightRSPCA