Chris (sheep) facts for kids
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Chris, before and after shearing
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| Species | Ovis aries (domestic sheep) |
|---|---|
| Breed | Merino |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | July 2010 |
| Died | 22 October 2019 (aged 9) |
Chris (July 2010 – 22 October 2019) was a famous Merino ram, which is a type of sheep. He became known around the world in September 2015. This was after he had an amazing amount of wool removed from him in Canberra, Australia. Chris was named after a sheep character from a TV show called Father Ted. A local person named Sue Dowling found him wandering in a field near Canberra.
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How Chris Was Found and Shorn
Chris was discovered near Mulligan's Flat, close to the border of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). He could barely move because of the huge amount of fleece he had grown. He hadn't been shorn for more than five years.
Why Sheep Need Shearing
Domestic sheep like Chris are bred to keep their wool. They don't naturally shed it. This means they need to be shorn regularly. If they aren't, their wool can become too heavy. It can also cause infections or injuries. Chris was in danger because of his very thick coat.
The Record-Breaking Shearing
RSPCA Australia contacted Ian Elkins, a four-time Australian Shearing Championship winner. He volunteered to shear the huge ram. Chris had to be given medicine to keep him calm during the process. The shearer worked for about 42 minutes. He removed an incredible 40.45 kilograms (89.2 lb) of thick wool.
Most Australian sheep are shorn once a year. Their fleeces usually weigh around 5 kilograms (11 lb). Chris's fleece set a new world record. It was heavier than previous records held by other neglected sheep. These included Shrek (27 kilograms (60 lb)) and "Big Ben". Guinness World Records confirmed Chris's record fleece of 41.4 kilograms (91 lb). Even though it was huge, the wool was too long (42 centimetres (17 in)) to be used for selling. Experts guessed that Chris's fleece had enough wool to make 30 jumpers.
Chris's New Home and Life
After his shearing, the RSPCA put Chris up for adoption. They said he needed time to get better from the operation. He also needed to get used to life without his "cumbersome blanket of wool." His back legs might have been a bit unbalanced forever. This was from carrying the extra weight for so long.
Adoption at Little Oak Sanctuary
Hundreds of people wanted to adopt Chris. In September 2015, he found his forever home. He was adopted by the Little Oak Sanctuary in New South Wales. At the sanctuary, Chris slowly became more comfortable around people. The co-founder of the sanctuary shared that Chris really liked having his head scratched.
Chris's Legacy
Chris passed away naturally on 22 October 2019, when he was 9 years old.
Chris's Fleece on Display
In 2016, Chris's entire fleece was bought by the National Museum of Australia. It measured 160 centimetres (63 in) long by 110 centimetres (43 in) wide. The fleece was put on display and became a very popular exhibit.
A Book About Chris
The RSPCA also worked with Kylie Fogarty to create a children's picture book about Chris. It was called The Misadventures of Chris the Sheep. The story imagined what Chris's life was like after he got separated from his flock. It also explained why he grew so much wool before he was rescued. The book was made to teach children about caring for animals. Money from the book sales helped the RSPCA in the ACT. This allowed them to keep protecting, rescuing, and caring for animals in need.
Images for kids
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Chris, before and after shearing
