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Overgrown Australian sheep Chris 'breaks world record' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An overgrown Australian sheep affectionately named Chris has set a new unofficial world record following a hair cut from five shearers. | |
Welfare crews warned it risked death because it was so woolly from living in the wild for several years. | |
More than 40kg (88lb) of wool was removed in what the RSPCA says is the heaviest wool haul from one shearing. | More than 40kg (88lb) of wool was removed in what the RSPCA says is the heaviest wool haul from one shearing. |
National shearing champion Ian Elkins was urgently called in on Wednesday to tackle the mammoth merino. | |
Mr Elkins described Thursday's marathon sheering session as one of his biggest challenges, saying he had never seen anything like it in 35 years of work. | |
Chris the sheep had to be sedated during the very delicate operation. | |
Mr Elkins said he was proud Australia had claimed the title from New Zealand, likening it to "the rivalry on the rugby field". | Mr Elkins said he was proud Australia had claimed the title from New Zealand, likening it to "the rivalry on the rugby field". |
The massive bundle of fleece tipped the scales at more than 42kg (92lb), but was revised down to 40kg (88lb) to counter the weight of the bag. | |
Animal welfare officials said Chris was "four-to-five times its normal size" before going under the knife. | |
In 2004, Shrek the New Zealand sheep was found after six years on the loose. | In 2004, Shrek the New Zealand sheep was found after six years on the loose. |
The animal - also a merino - later lost his giant 27kg (60lb) fleece in a televised shearing broadcast live around the world. | The animal - also a merino - later lost his giant 27kg (60lb) fleece in a televised shearing broadcast live around the world. |
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