Shrek 2 - double trouble

The pair proved popular with Francesca Hayman - and her father's 600 ewes. Picture / Otago Daily Times

Two unshorn rams rivalling Shrek the merino for fleece size have been found on a Clutha River island at Bendigo Reach, near where New Zealand's most famous sheep lives.

Tarras farmer Michael Hayman believes the half-bred merino-english leicester sheep, nick-named Tweedledum and Tweedledee, are about eight years old and have never been shorn.

Because of the size of their fleeces, Mr Hayman believes Tweedledum and Tweedledee were probably content to live as hermits until the recent arrival of 600 ewes.

"I think with low river flows, my sheep have been lured out on to the island. That's probably how the whole encounter began really," Mr Hayman said.

Mr Hayman became aware of the rams about two weeks ago but rumours about two phantom sheep on the island had been circulating for some time.

They have been in isolation in a paddock at the Hayman family's farm, "Pukemara", since Saturday, separated in case they had lice.

The sheep had probably been missed in a muster.

The rams did not like being moved or handled and had tried butting Mr Hayman's dogs.

They were calmer yesterday and allowed Tarras School pupils to take a closer inspection.

Locals have predicted the fleeces are at least as large as Shrek's, a merino wether captured on April 14, 2004, after six years of solitude on Bendigo Station.

Mr Hayman is not sure what to do with the rams in the meantime but is planning to "defrock" them.

"We'll just treat them as part of the flock."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES