Sheep are one of the most important local animals, contributing a variety of products to humans, such as wool, milk, leather, and meat. In our region, sheep became domesticated many years ago and have had a very close connection to the nation. Shepherds hold an important role in many cultures, including the local culture. Sheep were brought to various locations in the world and today, places such as New Zealand are closely identified with their large flocks of sheep.
At the Biblical Zoo, you can see a number of types of sheep:
Jacob’s sheep: an ancient type probably originating from the Middle East region, identifiable as similar to those of Jacob by its dark spots, and that is how it got its name. Males have 2 – 6 large horns on their heads.
Merino sheep
Fat tail sheep
Cameroun sheep: despite its name, this sheep is apparently from the Caribbean islands and not from Africa. It has a brown body, and its fur is relatively short. These sheep developed mainly for their meat.