Blacknose sheep Loulou and Bubi
Freedom on the mountain pasture was over
Alpine pasture farming is at the heart of the mountain regions and an indispensable part of life in the Alps. It combines nature, tradition and sustainable agriculture in a unique way. Cows, goats and sheep play a central role in this – not only for the supply of food, but also for the preservation of the Alpine cultural landscape. The animals on the mountain pastures are real landscape conservationists. By grazing the meadows, they prevent the areas from becoming wild or overgrown with shrubs and trees. This keeps the alpine landscape open and rich in species.
Loulou and Bubi spent over 10 years on a mountain pasture
The owners of the black-nosed sheep Loulou (2 years) and Bubi (4 years) spent 10 marvellous summers on a leased mountain pasture together with their sheep. The two special sheep were very popular with young and old and certainly made many people forget their stress. Unfortunately, the lease was cancelled and there were to be no more summers on a mountain pasture.
Small, frugal and fluffy
The Valais blacknose sheep are characterised by their continuously woolly body. The basic colour of the wool is white, the ears and nose are coloured black up to the middle of the head, the eyes are framed in black and the legs of these special sheep are black-booted.
A new home has been found for the two charming mountain sheep
After the previous summer on the mountain pasture, the owners had been able to hire Loulou and Bubi from a farmer. Unfortunately, the two sheep, who were used to absolute freedom, were unable to leave the barn and the conditions in which they were kept were probably not to the animals’ liking. So Gut Aiderbichl was asked whether we had space for the black-nosed sheep in addition to those already living on the estate.
Loulou and Bubi are loyal, spirited and affectionate
The two new arrivals spent the first few days in a separate stable so that they could familiarise themselves with their new surroundings in peace and quiet.
What is particularly valuable for the two of them is that they receive regular visits from their former owner. She lovingly strokes Loulou and Bubi’s thick wool with her fingers and the two enjoy having their familiar humans very close to them.
When children stand by their stable, they put their heads on the wooden slat and make it clear that they love being stroked.
No matter how small something is, it can create huge waves.
– Matt Bevin
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
