Eine junge Dame mit roter Jacke hält ein schwarzes Zackelschafbaby in den Armen.

Zackel sheep baby Nathalie

Gut Aiderbichl and its animals were in hibernation

Only Theresa was busy – she gave birth to Nathalie for the reopening

Animals don’t care what time of year it is or whether the Gut Aiderbichl animal visitor centre is in hibernation. They want to go outside, they need species-appropriate food and care, fresh bedding in the stables and the loving attention of the animal keepers. During hibernation, a particularly large number of animals wander around the farm and enjoy being together freely.
During hibernation, life with and around the animals continues as normal and there is more time for various farrier work, stable renovations or cleaning work in the stables.

Ein schwarzes Zackelschafbaby liegt am Stroh und seine Mama stehet daneben.

Theresa came to Henndorf a few months ago

Theresa is a beautiful black Hungarian Zackel sheep and belongs to a breed that is unfortunately dying out. However, the herd of Gut Aiderbichl Zackel sheep is constantly growing thanks to animals that were kept as breeding stock and then given away to prevent inbreeding.
When the sheep Theresa was admitted in October, the vet and the animal keepers suspected that she was pregnant. There was great joy at the arrival of the baby Zackel sheep and now she has been born, little Nathalie with black fur and dark, inquisitive eyes. When the gates at the Henndorf animal visitor centre open again on 31 January, little, cheerful Nathalie is sure to make people’s hearts beat faster.

Ein schwarzes Zackelschafbaby steht mit seiner Mama auf dem Stroh in einem Stall.

Without even realising it, baby sheep Nathalie is an ambassador for an animal breed that is dying out

“These wonderful animals with their long, twisted horns and intelligent nature are threatened with extinction. We are delighted that Theresa has decided to give birth to her adorable, healthy offspring at Gut Aiderbichl!” says Dieter Ehrengruber with a gentle smile.
“On the Gut Aiderbichl farms, we consciously set an example for the continued existence of endangered animal breeds such as the aurochs, the Austro-Hungarian K&K donkeys or Baroque donkeys and, of course, represented by little Nathalie, who doesn’t even know how important her birth is, the Hungarian Zackel sheep. People should see and learn what great animals are unfortunately dying out because they do not meet the requirements of industrialised animal husbandry. Every breed that dies out leaves a gap in nature’s system!”.

Ein kleines Zackelschafbaby steht auf Stroh und blickt neugierig auf.

The Hungarian Zackel sheep lived in the open steppe

During the Middle Ages and until around 1800, the Zackel sheep was the predominant breed in Hungary. The sheep were kept in herds in the open steppe and looked after by shepherds.
The animals were almost completely utilised. The coarse wool and tanned hides were used to make weatherproof clothing for shepherds and other professions, while the offal and meat were used for human consumption. Sheepskins were once an indispensable item of clothing for Hungarian farmers. In dry weather they wore the fur with the fur side facing inwards and in rain and snow outwards. From the beginning of the 19th century, the Zackel sheep was replaced by other sheep breeds with finer wool. The intensification of cattle and horse breeding also had a detrimental effect on the population of Zackel sheep.

Nathalie has taken on an important role

Looked after by her mum Theresa and the animal keepers, Nathalie is just learning what it means to be a young raggedy sheep.
Nathalie’s message is clear: all animals and plants whose survival is not cared for are irretrievable and leave a gap in the earth’s ecosystem.
Nathalie’s message is also to make people think about how important it is to show respect for nature.