Sticking with you. Copyright Compassion/Elli Goodlet
Hundreds of sheep have been given refuge at Farm Animal Sanctuary. Over time, they have divided naturally into two large flocks of around 200. All the sheep spend winter living together in large barns and yet in Spring, year after year, they will choose to re-group into almost exactly the same flocks as before.
Cambridge scientist Keith Kendrick found that sheep can remember at least 50 different faces for over 2 years.
These observations show the strength of sheep social bonds and the importance of respecting these relationships in modern farming systems. Sheep are often separated from their usual companions during transport, at transit points and at slaughter. Compassion believes that full account of animal sentience must be taken throughout an animal’s life.
Sources:
The Farm Animal Sanctuary, Evesham, UK.
Kendrick, K. et al. (2001) Sheep don’t forget a face. Nature, 414 (6860): 165-6.