Shrek (sheep)

New Zealand sheep (1994–2011)

Shrek

Shrek in November 2008

Species| Ovis aries (domestic sheep)
Breed| Merino
Sex| Male
Born| (1994-11-27)27 November 1994
New Zealand
Died| 6 June 2011(2011-06-06) (aged 16)
Tarras, Otago, New Zealand
Years active| 2004–2011
Known for| Avoiding capture
Having grown 27kg of wool
Owner| Bendigo Station
Named after| Shrek

Shrek (27 November 1994– 6 June 2011) was a Merino wether, castrated male sheep belonging to Bendigo Station, a sheep station near Tarras, New Zealand.[1] He gained international fame in 2004, after he avoided being caught and shorn for six years.[1] Merinos are normally shorn annually, but Shrek apparently hid in caves, avoiding muster. He was named after the fictional ogre in books and films of the same name.[2]

## Life

[edit]

After finally being caught on 15 April 2004, he was shorn by a professional in 20 minutes on 28 April. The shearing was broadcast on national television in New Zealand.[3][4] His fleece contained enough wool to make 20 large men's suits, weighing 27kg (60lb)– an average Merino fleece weighs around 4.5kg (10lb),[5] with exceptional weights up to around 15kg (33lb).[6]

Shrek became a national icon. He was taken to parliament to meet the then-New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, in May 2004, to celebrate his 10th birthday.[7][8] In November 2006, 30 months after his initial shearing, Shrek was shorn again, on an iceberg floating off the coast of Dunedin, New Zealand.[9][10]

Shrek was also shorn on the Sky Tower observation deck, raising money for charity.[11]

## Death & legacy

[edit]

Shrek was euthanised on 6 June 2011 on a veterinarian's advice. He was 16.[1]

At the New Zealand parliament onsite storage facility, a wooden box with a cutting of wool from Shrek was uncovered.[11] It was a gift to Rt Hon Helen Clark in 2004, who met him later that year.[11]

In 2014, a taxidermy Shrek the Sheep appeared in an exhibition at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He was treated and stuffed by taxidermist, David Jacobs based in Queenstown.[12][13]

Shrek remains in the collection at Te Papa, as well as his limited edition Icebreaker jersey, blanket cover and his fleece.[14][15][16][17]

In 2022, another sheep who evaded shearing for many years was named 'Shrekapo' after the original Shrek the sheep.[18]

## See also

[edit]

* Agriculture in New Zealand
* Chris – a similar case in Australia
* Fiona – a similar case in Scotland
* Sonny Wool – tongue-in-cheek "psychic sheep" that became popular during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Shrek the celebrity sheep dies". Otago Daily Times. 6 June 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
2. ^ "Hermit sheep 'Shrek' shorn of 6-year-old woolly fleece". China Daily. 29 April 2004. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
3. ^ "NZ's famous sheep gets TV haircut". BBC. 28 April 2004. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
4. ^ Booth, Jenny (28 April 2004). "Shrek the sheep shorn at last". London: BBC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
5. ^ "2002 Australian wool production survey, giving (p. 6) average Merino fleece weights" (PDF). agric.wa.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
6. ^ "Merino stud ram listed (p 3) with fleece weight of 16.2 kg" (PDF). sunnyvalley.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
7. ^ "Celebrity sheep meets NZ leader". BBC. 3 May 2004. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
8. ^ "Southland Shrek's sheep romance fizzles". The New Zealand Herald. 14 November 2005. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
9. ^ "Shrek the sheep has close shave on ice". The Age. Australia. 29 November 2006. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
10. ^ "Dunedin-Shrek the sheep shorn again on an iceberg". NZPA. 28 November 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
11. ^ a b c "The Post". www.thepost.co.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
12. ^ "Shrek makes sheepish debut at Te Papa". The New Zealand Herald. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
13. ^ "Te Papa to showcase unique story of Shrek the sheep | Te Papa". tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
14. ^ "Loading... | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
15. ^ "Loading... | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
16. ^ "Loading... | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
17. ^ "Loading... | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
18. ^ "'Shrekapo' the elusive merino 18.6kg lighter after being shorn for the first time". Stuff. Retrieved 14 February 2025.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Perriam, John (October 2010). Shrek: The Story of a Kiwi Icon. Random House New Zealand. ISBN 1869793277.