By RNZ
A feral sheep breed is having its unique genetics stored as its numbers in the wild continue to drop.
Mōhaka sheep are described as small and robust, with large, curling horns and black-and-white wool.
They originated from the Mōhaka River area – between Gisborne and Wairoa, and there are only about 300 of them left.
Michael Willis from the Rare Breeds Conservation Society said they are one of the oldest wild breeds in the country.
Willis said nobody knows their history with any great accuracy.
“They date back so long and were recognised as being there about 150 years ago.”
Willis said Mōhaka sheep semen from three rams had recently been frozen and stored for future use, and they were now looking for some Mohaka ewes, but their numbers are extremely low.
“We had to step up and get some semen,” he said.
“We still need to get some embryos because they are the last of them, so we are really fighting a bit of a downhill battle to preserve these animals.”
Willis is encouraging any farmers who have the time and paddock space to offer to breed Mōhaka sheep.
Feral sheep are known for their hardy nature, good health, parasite resistance, their ability to do well on rough or poor land and their wool-shedding.
However, regardless of how tame they become, the sheep still have that wild gene and good quality fencing is a must.
The Rare Breeds Society said there are 12 different feral sheep populations dotted throughout the country.