Jobst Meyer Das Soayschaf

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5000 years ago, Neolithic seafaring men released some of their sheep on the small island of Soay, which belongs to the St. Kilda archipelago located to the west of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Ever since, the Soay sheep on St. Kilda experienced little contact to humans and did not change much in appearance and habits. Therefore, the Soay sheep represents a phylogenetic pristine breed of domesticated animals.

Nowadays, Soay sheep also inhabit Hirta, the main island of the St. Kilda archipelago, where biologists collect data on their genetic and ecological conditions annually. Thus, the biological basis of their adaption to the confined habitat, as it becomes evident by specific patterns of behaviour and appearance, has been elucidated by many studies.

Soay sheep were introduced to the mainland of Great Britain at the end of the 19th century. In 1974, some animals were imported to Germany for the first time. Today, many breeders in Europe and the United States of America are fond of this elegant breed, which does not need to be clipped due to its natural shedding of wool. Soay sheep are predestined to graze in parks, orchards and nutrient-poor pastures. - The life and behaviour of the free-living sheep on St. Kilda as well as many tips for breeding this exceptional race are extensively described in the book, “Das Soayschaf – Abstammung, Zucht und Haltung eines steinzeitlichen Relikts”, which provides a valuable guide for breeders as well as biologists, veterinaries and zoo personnel.