Scientists discuss the unusual behavior of sheep in China. The reason may be their condition, similar to depression in humans. He writes about it on November 23rd news.com.au.
The Chinese channel People’s Daily recently released a video shot in a remote Chinese region of Inner Mongolia. A flock of sheep has been reported to walk in circles for 12 consecutive days. Their owner named Miao said it all started with a few sheep, and then the rest joined them. At the same time, some sheep observe the round from the outside, while others occasionally stand motionless in the center. There are only 34 sheepfolds on the farm, but only in one of them did the animals perform a round dance. The People’s Daily publication claims that the sheep are healthy and the reason for their behavior remains a mystery.
“The sheep appear to have been in the paddock for a long time and this can lead to stereotypical behavior with repetitive rides due to the frustration and confinement of the paddock. Then other sheep join in because they’re herd animals,” suggests Matt Bell, a professor at Hartpury University in Gloucester, England.
Other scientists have linked this behavior to listeriosis, a bacterial disease that causes, among other things, the vicious cycle. It is often caused by damaged silage. Affected animals “suffer from anorexia, depression and disorientation” and may “hide in corners, lean on fixed objects or turn towards the affected side”.
