Shrek the celebrity sheep

The story of Shrek - the woolly hermit - began with his chance discovery in the hills of Bendigo Station at Tarras in Cromwell, Central Otago.

For six years the merino wether had avoided the annual shearing muster and when found was carrying a 27kg fleece – enough wool to make suits for 20 men. New Zealand is renowned for producing high quality merino wool for the clothing industry, and an average merino fleece weighs around 4.5kg.

Images of Shrek with his woolly dreadlocks captured the fascination of media and when he was shorn live on television – it was broadcast worldwide.