Rehoming of 'Loneliest Sheep' Stranded for 2 Years Sparks Outrage

A sheep dubbed "Britain's loneliest sheep" is at the center of a growing controversy after she was rescued from the foot of a remote cliff in the Scottish Highlands this weekend.

The sheep, now named Fiona, had been stranded at the base of cliffs along the Cromarty Firth, Scotland, for at least two years. Animal welfare experts had initially deemed any rescue attempt to be "incredibly complex."

But a rescue mission was initiated by Cammy Wilson, a sheep shearer from Ayrshire, who organized the effort with four other people. They used heavy equipment to haul Fiona up a steep slope, overcoming the challenging terrain. Fiona was in relatively good condition but needed her overgrown fleece sheared.

"Farmers and the farming community were getting such negative press I felt we had to do something to show how much we care," Wilson told Newsweek, who said that Fiona now looks "glorious" with her newly sheared coat.

The operation involved both risks and dedication, with the rescuers descending 250 meters down a cliff to reach the stranded sheep. The successful mission received widespread attention and support, with tens of thousands of people signing a petition for her rescue. It's unclear how she came to be stranded at the foot of the cliff.

On the morning of November 6, she arrived at Dalscone Farm in Dumfries, Scotland, where she is currently being kept in the company of other sheep, receiving the care and attention she needs.

However, a group of activists from Animal Rising, known for their previous actions disrupting high-profile horse races, staged a protest at Dalscone Farm on Sunday, expressing concerns about Fiona's well-being.

"Yesterday, seven of our supporters quietly stood outside Dalscone Farm Fun awaiting Fiona's arrival with placards," a spokesperson for Animal Rising told Newsweek. "We understand she arrived in Dumfries yesterday evening. We are, of course, grateful she is no longer stranded at the base of a cliff, but disappointed she is not safely in the peaceful sanctuary she deserves after two years of neglect and isolation."

"Petting zoos can be stressful for any animal, especially one that has lived alone for the last two years and will likely now be mobbed by daily visitors owing to her celebrity status," they added in a statement. "The right thing to do would be to allow her to live out the rest of her life safely at Tribe Animal Sanctuary, who already agreed to home her."

In a Facebook live video, "Farmer Ben" from Dalscone Farm shared a video on Sunday where he said that staff members at the farm felt "intimidated" as the protestors were reportedly flying a drone and wielding placards that read "Free Fiona" and "Sanctuary not spectacle."

The farm also later clarified that for the next five months the farm is closed to the public for their off season, giving Fiona a chance to slowly acclimate to life around other animals and humans.