WILD RAM

Ovis aries

Includes Arapawa, Pitt Island, Hokonui & Feral Sheep

ORIGINS

Captain Cook and other early explorers and settlers brought from England and the Continent a variety of different Sheep that either escaped or were released up to 200 or more years ago.

CHARACTERISTICS

All Feral Rams have curling horns, often 1 1/2 curls on each side, and are black or dark brown, with the occasional white.  Feral Sheep are not prone to fly strike and the normal domesticated sheep problems.  They naturally shed their wool annually, and many have a very fine micron count.

WHERE FOUND

In more remote parts of New Zealand.

Photo caption: Don Adams