Rare sheep suffer second tragedy in six months

Monday 20 November 2017

A flock of endangered Manx sheep is being rescued from a “precarious position” on a cliff edge after being chased by two pet dogs.

Five have already fallen to their death – the second dog-related tragedy to hit the rare sheep in under six months.

The dogs, who were being walked in an area overlooking Greve de Lecq Bay around midday yesterday, were with their owner, but not on a lead.

By the time they could be brought under control, they had already chased the rare sheep over the cliff edge. 

Five sheep were killed, but a Fire Service mission to rescue the remaining sheep is still ongoing.

Pictured: The Fire and Rescue Service team scaled the cliff to help rescue the rare sheep. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

Crew members abseiled down the cliff and managed to guide the sheep to a rocky ledge to rescue them, but were only able to rescue one before nightfall caused the operation to be postponed until this morning.

The news comes just months after two lambs were killed after being chased off the edge of a cliff by a rogue pup.

The two lambs - and the sheep involved in today's ongoing operation - were part of a unique flock of Manx Loaghtans, a rare breed of brown sheep with up to six horns thought to be the now-extinct Jersey sheep's closest living relative.

Originally established with just 20 ewes and two rams by the Natural Trust, the Sorel-based conservation flock are now "thriving" with around 200 - around 10% of the breed's total population in Britain - and are helping to manage problem plants in their grazing area. 

Pictured: The sheep were part of a flock of rare Manx Loaghtans.

At the time of the lamb tragedy, Mr and Mrs Le Couteur, who run The Reserve, lamented the “very sad” incident, and called for dog owners to take better care in ensuring that their pets are kept firmly on the lead. 

Fire and Rescue Service Watch Commander Paul McGrath added to those calls today.

“Jersey Fire and Rescue would like to urge dog owners to keep their pets under control and on a lead when walking near to livestock.  Although dogs may have only playful intent, livestock and other farm animals often misinterpret this, causing them to flee,” he commented.

Video: The Reserve's Aaron Le Couteur explains the special part the Manx Loaghtan sheep play on Jersey's North Coast.

He added: “It’s also not uncommon for dogs to fall or becomes trapped on cliffs when chasing animals such as wild birds or rabbits, as they can lose sight of obvious danger during the thrill of the chase, so another good reason to keep your dog on a lead.”