08 June,2011 07:48 AM IST | | Agencies
New Zealand is in mourning after the death of one of its biggest stars, a celebrity sheep called Shrek who was reckoned to be the woolliest in the world.
The 17-year-old Merino sheep was put to sleep yesterday after a long and glamourous life that included TV shows, national tours, his own barn and a personal carer; he even made it into the pages of Playboy magazine.
Shrek, with his owner John Perriam after being shorn in Cromwell before 200 onlookers and a live worldwide television audience
Shrek captured the public's imagination in 2004 after he evaded the annual shearing round-ups for seven years by hiding in caves on his farm on South Island.
When finally found, he was clad in an astonishing 27kg of wool.
In a country where sheep outnumber people by nearly 10 to one, Shrek's story of stubbornness and guile appealed to many.
After his capture, Shrek was shorn on live TV in a broadcast which was picked up around the world. His story inspired three books.
"He was quite an elderly statesman," said owner John Perriam. "He taught us a lot."
Until becoming sick three weeks ago, Shrek toured the country, commanding huge sums of money for appearances and getting the star treatment wherever he went.
Perriam believes Shrek was able to survive the winters and avoid detection by moving about a series of sheltered caves and by munching on small native shrubs.
"It's bizarre that we missed him seven years in a row," he said. "But from his point of view, it was the perfect environment."
Since Shrek's death, tributes have been pouring in online, including on the Facebook page 'R.I.P Shrek the Sheep.'
Perriam is planning a funeral service and will ask a friend to scatter Shrek's ashes on top of Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain.
27 kg
The amount of wool Shrek was clad in when people found him hiding in the cave avoiding annual shearing
