The two Corriedale sheep being raised in the livestock barn Inokashira Park Zoo are sisters. Alice will turn 15 on December 7, 2024, and Belle will turn 14 on February 14, 2025. The average lifespan of a Corriedale sheep is around 12 years, so these two are considered elderly.


"Alice" and "Belle"
Alice and Belle came to our zoo in 2018 from the children's zoo at Ueno Zoo. At the time, the animal enclosure where the two lived also housed three Goat, one Domestic Pig, and three chickens. Initially, they were a little scared of the unfamiliar place and their new housemates, but the sisters supported each other, and now they are full-fledged residents of our zoo.

The two dogs are always together. Not only are they together when they're out in the exercise area during the day, but they're also together in the room where they sleep after the park closes. Even when one of them becomes ill and needs treatment, they are never separated.

Sheep are animals that feel secure when they are in a flock, and they become anxious and restless when they cannot see each other. They bleat loudly, "Baaaa! Baaaa!" However, this is a little different from the "friendship" you might imagine. You won't see them huddling together to rest or licking each other in a loving manner. Nevertheless, they absolutely need each other.


Left: Belle, Right: Alice. The two dogs' bedroom.
Alice and Belle, who are like two halves of a whole, are getting older each year. Because of their age, the hurdles they face in getting through each season are getting higher every year. Summer is a difficult season for Corriedales, who have thick coats, but this year they managed to get through it by installing a cooling fan and misting system, and wrapping ice packs around their necks.

Next comes the cold winter. Alice and Bell need each other, so we will support them so that they can live as long and healthy a life as possible together.

[Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo and Zoo Exhibition Manager]

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