In 1931, a bankrupt farmer abandoned 4,000 sheep on a sub-Antarctic island: Decades of isolation produced a flock with rare inherited traits

Sheep farming on Campbell Island ended in 1931, leaving thousands of animals to survive alone. These abandoned sheep became feral and developed unique traits over decades of isolation. By 1970, the feral sheep were damaging the island’s native vegetation, prompting conservation efforts. Ten sheep were rescued in 1976 to preserve their evolved characteristics for future study. The remaining feral flock was later eliminated, ending a unique chapter in island history.
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