Pitt Island

The Chatham Islands, inhabited by about 50 people, lie about 750 kilometers (469 miles) east of the Mainland of New Zealand. In 1841, Saxony Merino sheep were introduced to the Island. They have been untended for about 80 years. Natural selection has resulted in self-shedding fleeces and natural parasite resistance. Originally, they were all white. Half were black by 1950.

Since 1997, 90 percent of flock has been pigmented, most being solid black and about 5% moorit. Almost 97 percent of the rams have horns. The horns can be massive, forming complete spirals up to 95 cm (38 in) around the curve. In 1981, 305 of these feral sheep were placed in a specially created scientific reserve on Pitt Island. Some have been exported to the mainland of New Zealand where they are maintained by rare breeds enthusiasts.

Breed category: feral, rare / Distribution: New Zealand