‘The world’s loneliest sheep’ is sheared for the first time in two years, but animal activists protest its transfer to a petting zoo | the animals

For two years, Fiona had been stranded on a pebbly beach at the foot of some steep cliffs in the Scottish Highlands when she was rescued last weekend by some heroic sheep farmers. The sheep, which according to its rescuers was “fat”, was lifted by a pulley and then transported to a sheep farm. After a day’s rest, the shearer took over the sheep, freeing them from a thick layer of tangled wool.

The plan was now to move Fiona to a petting zoo, but Animal Rising campaigners are hoping to put a stop to that. According to them, Fiona would be a “spectacle” and would be exploited in this way. This weekend they went to the petting zoo to protest the plan. In a Facebook video, Ben from Dalskun Farm talks about “intimidating the protesters.” “They’re outside my anxious mother’s gate and door,” he says. None of us understand their intentions nor do we know what they are planning. Right now, Fiona won’t come to our farm, it’s too dangerous. We now have to think about her safety, our safety and the safety of all the animals on our farm.

He goes on to say that Dalskun Farm does not understand the animal rights activists’ protest. “We are known for taking excellent care of our animals. We are currently closed for the winter, so Fiona will have some time to acclimate here. Then she can gradually become acquainted with other animals. “The loneliest sheep in the world” is supposed to spend the rest of her life on the farm, he confirms. They do not intend to sell them or make a profit from cutting down the trees.

Until peace returns, Fiona will remain in an unknown place. Where it will go next remains uncertain.