Runaway Sheep Has 44-lb Wool Coat After 5yrs In Forest

Story By: Kathryn QuinnSub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

This runaway sheep that has been living by itself in the forest for five years has accumulated around 44 lbs of smelly wool on its back that keeps wolves and predators at bay.

Maggie the sheep is often seen wandering through the forest by walkers in Jonas Valley situated in the district of Ilm-Kreis located in the central German state of Thuringia.

The woolly wanderer often comes to the roadside to surprise drivers, but always dashes back into the forest to keep safe.

Picture Credit: CEN/jonastalschaf

The sheep has become such a sensation that it now has its own Facebook page.

Maggie finds food in the forest and is often seen peacefully whiling away the time in her chosen home.

It is believed that the sheep’s 20-kilogramme mass of wool is now so thick and smelly that it keeps wolves and other forest predators at bay.

Picture Credit: CEN/jonastalschaf

Local shepherd Gerhard Schuh, 59, said: “The sheep really needs to be sheered. The wool absorbs a lot of water and the animal could become ill.

“The animal’s coat could also become tangled in the undergrowth and it could starve to death.

“Those who care about the sheep should really help to capture it.”

Christin Bayer, who founded the Facebook page and named the sheep Maggie, said: “I travel to work every day on this road. I named the sheep Maggie as I found it suited her well. I presumed she is female.

“I decided to create a Facebook page for people to upload pictures of her. It did not take long until users started uploading pictures.

“I once saw her lying in the sun. She is often seen at the side of the road.”

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Daily Mail