Alex: Sheep who could barely stand due to 88-POUND fleece gets life-saving makeover
Bushwalkers noticed a troubled sheep on top of Mt Alexander in Central Victoria recently and contacted an animal sanctuary for help. The highly fluffy sheep couldn't stand due to his 88-pound (40kg) coat. He now has a 'new fleece on life,' thanks to rescuers who sheared him.
Alex, the sheep, had been unable to stand for quite some time and was in grave danger. Pam Ahern, the founder and director of Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary, said Alex was discovered barely in time. Ahern said, "I'm not sure how long the poor fellow had been lying there. But I do know that, judging by the length of his fleece, he had not been shorn in many a year, and had he not been found when he was, he would have passed from this world."
READ MORE
Nick Cummins: 'Bachelor' star goes viral with video of saving sheep from barbed wire
Big game hunter who held a bloodied sex toy next to a sheep she killed faces criminal charges
Rescuers swiftly removed Alex's large coat. Volunteers had to hand-feed and water the sheep since his matted fleece prevented him from lifting his head. Four adults had to carry the motionless sheep out of his rescue van. Ms. Ahern had to hire an expert shearer since the sheep's wool was so matted that she couldn't even separate it to inject him with fluids.
Alex's heavy, knotted coat took an hour to remove, despite the fact that it usually just takes minutes. A 40 kilogram (88pound) heap of urine-soaked, twig-matted, and insect-encrusted fleece was removed off the weak animal. After the job was completed, Alex was finally able to stand on his shaky legs. He's currently recuperating on a 153-acre refuge in Lancefield, Australia.
The massive mass came dangerously close to breaking the Guinness World Record for the biggest fleece, which was previously held by Chris the sheep from Canberra, who weighed 41 kg in 2015. Alex isn't the first sheep observed at the Edgar Mission carrying a load of wool on its back.
Baarack, the other sheep was rescued by the sanctuary in February of last year after he was discovered wandering the highlands with a 34.5kg fleece. Alex and Baarack were both seven-year-old castrated male sheep who would ordinarily self-shed. Some varieties of sheep, however, no longer self-shed and must be shorn at least once a year as a result of selective breeding.
On TikTok, the non-profit refuge posted a video of his life-saving makeover, which has over 150,000 views. Viewers lauded the sanctuary's work and expressed their affection for Alex the sheep. One person said, "You guys [Edgar's Mission] were born with a place in heaven." Another person said, "Not to be dramatic, but I would die for Alex."