They are undoubtedly happy to be back in the meadow: the sheep of the Goois Nature Reserve. Nevertheless, it appears that the bluetongue virus has left traces in many animals. The sheep were forced to stay indoors for a full month to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. But now that the disease appears to be on the decline, the vet is allowing the sheep to go out into the open air again.
After a month of being indoors due to the bluetongue virus, the sheep of the Goois Nature Reserve are allowed back into the meadow – NH News
Since last Tuesday, about twenty rams have been grazing in a meadow near Bussum, all of which have been sick with the virus. At first glance they look healthy and move normally. Yet shepherd Rozenn Le Buhan sees that the animals have not been left behind in the past period. “There is still something among the members that has not yet been completely resolved,” she notes while looking at the herd. “But overall they’re doing well.”
“We’ve been crying a lot lately”
Besides the fact that the virus has left a trail of misery among the sheep, it has also not left the shepherds unaffected. “For the first time I didn’t go to work with fun,” Le Buhan reflects. “At one point there were new sick people every day. They would have a swollen head, they wouldn’t eat, you could see ulcers in their mouths, they would walk lame… Just very sick to death. That did a lot for us. We’ve been crying a lot lately.”
No lambs as a precaution
Ultimately, thirty of the total of 420 sheep succumb to the virus. Moreover, many animals that survive appear to be left with something from it. Reason for the Goois Nature Reserve to keep the rams separated from the ewes this year, which means no lambs next spring. “The question is how the lambs would come out. Will they have defects? Deformities? No idea. To be on the safe side, we decided: we won’t do it.”
“When it was possible again, we jumped for joy”
They hope to welcome lambs here again in the spring of 2025. But for now, the fact that the sheep are allowed to go outside again is cherished. “When the vet said it was possible again, we had a little jump of joy,” laughs Le Buhan. “That does people some good.”