By Callum Ludwig
A wily and woolly adversary is back is safe and well after a six-month-long hiatus in the Sugarloaf Reservoir bushland in Christmas Hills.
Sugar the sheep was captured by a dedicated team of volunteers from Melbourne Water, the Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) in Gladysdale and Vets for Compassion.
“Recognising the importance of ensuring the safety of all animals and preserving wildlife in the community, the team of volunteers promptly sprang into action to rescue the stranded sheep,” Ms Duncan said.
Rehomed at the FFAR sanctuary, Sugar will be examined by the Vets for Compassion team and was given a well-overdue shearing by Shear Delight.
“Sugar’s successful rescue serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in safeguarding and protecting animals in need,” said Vets for Compassion’s Operations Manager Nicole de Haan.
“The successful rescue of ‘Sugar’ the sheep exemplifies Forever Friends’ commitment to the wellbeing of the most vulnerable animals,” said FFAR Sanctuary Manager Lachlan Barnard.
Sugar’s rescue was critical as we head into the warmer months, where in the wild he may have overheated without being sheared, as well as being at greater risk of disease and infection.
FFAR founder Saskia Adams said Sugar is recovering well from his adventures, though he’s a little overwhelmed by his new celebrity status.
“Melbourne Water’s Georgia Duncan has been watching and following Sugar around Sugarloaf Reservoir for the last six months, and various rescue efforts have been unsuccessful until recently,” she said.
“Everything has been attempted, from trying to round up Sugar with sheep dogs to motorbikes. When Vets for Compassion and Forever Friends Animal Rescue also became involved recently, a plan was hatched between the three organisations, and a team of 19 pulled it off,”
Melbourne Water employees are encouraged to volunteer at animal welfare clinics on two days of paid leave a year.
Ms Adams said Sugar received a vet check upon rescue from Vets for Compassion and a careful double-shearing at the Forever Friends’ Sanctuary by Gladysdale local Peter Pryor on Friday.
“He’ll now stay in quarantine for another ten days and then Melbourne Water’s own Georgia Duncan wants to adopt him.”
