Archive photo: this is not Woody, but another merino sheep. — © Getty Images
After three years on the run, the merino sheep Woody has received a major shearing. This yielded more than 10 kilograms of wool, and that is not even a record.
“Who will help us shave Woody?” It was residents of Woodstock, a village in the Australian region of New South Wales, who launched that appeal in the local press at the end of last year. They had seen the merino sheep – a species known to produce up to five kilograms of wool per year – wandering some country lanes in the village near a rubbish dump and were concerned about the animal’s voluminous coat.
Fire brigade volunteers were called in to catch the fast animal. The chip told local animal lovers that the animal was sold three years ago at a sale in Cowra, more than 12 miles from Woodstock. It had since disappeared after fleeing from the herd. This is also evident from that extensive coat: the animal had missed three shearing seasons.
Ultimately, it was Mathew Boyce who took on the task of ridding the animal of all excess wool. That yielded more than 10 kilograms of wool, a considerable loot. And miraculously, no blowflies were found among them, which are common in animals with thick fur and can cause deadly bacterial infections. Even more: the animal is doing well after a few days of recovery. Woody will soon move to a meadow on the edge of the city.
To be clear, Woody is not a record sheep. Fellow Chris once had 41 kilograms of wool sheared.