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A MULTI-COLOURED PRIMITIVE BREED

In 1980 the late Colonel G.D. Dailley, who with his wife 'Virginia' founded the nearby African Lion Safari, was first granted permission to import the rare Shetland sheep directly from the Shetland Isles into Canada. This was part of his dedicated interest in preserving rare breeds, both wild and domestic. In efforts to protect the breed from extinction each known animal was registered in England with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

The "Colonel" was never one to shy away from red tape and obstacles , (he travelled to elephant trapping camps in the back country of Thailand at age 72 to learn more about the status of Asian elephants) and in the cold winter of 1980 thirty-two Shetland sheep arrived at the farm. There were twenty-eight pregnant ewes and four rams named "Duncan", "Pierre", "Hartland" and "Colonel". Although used to surviving on an often meagre existence of hay and even lichens and mosses in the Shetland Isles, the sheep flourished in the shelter of our old wooden barn, eating hay and grain.

Since those early days our flock has thrived and we have managed to send hundreds of animals to sheep enthusiasts and farmers in Canada and the U.S.A. Careful attention is paid to the breeding of our sheep so that the widest range of natural colours is maintained. Shetland wool is prized for being one of the finest in the world and the Shetland tradition continues in which a woman should be able to spin and knit a shawl so finely that it can pass through her wedding ring.

Today our flock consists of about two hundred sheep. All of the recognized eleven natural colours are represented. We are proud to be keepers of the friendly little survivor known as the Shetland sheep.

For information on buying sheep their raw wool or fine yarn call: Carole Dailley, Shepherdess at African Lion Safari, R.R. #1, Cambridge, Ontario. N1R 5S2. Canada. (519)623-2620 FAX (519) 623-9542.

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