The Caring Sheep

[knightofalbion]

(Here's one specially for Peter!)

Now fellow forum members, what is your verdict - curiosity or empathy?

I say empathy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Nnm6aMbso

At the end, one of the sheep looks towards the man filming as if to say 'The bird needs help'.


I'm glad the man recorded the scene for our viewing, though it's a poor show when nabbing a good video clip for YouTube takes precedence over common humanity.

[LPC]

I have seen similar things occasionally when we had a larger flock of sheep. To answer your question, I would say that it is probably a mixture of curiosity and a desire to help. Notice that at one point one of the sheep is trying to lick the bird, perhaps to warm it or get it moving. Ewes do that with their lambs when they are first born.

As for the person who took the video, we don't know whether s/he took any action after filming. The person who posted the video is not necessarily the same as the one who took it originally. I can but hope that the latter did do something to help the bird - although it seems to be tired rather then injured.