Expo Sheep And Dog To Stay In Japan

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32350, 16 July 1970, Page 24

Expo Sheep And Dog To Stay In Japan

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) OSAKA, July 15. Tiger, the sheepdog which went on with the show on New Zealand’s national day at Expo 70 although his master was in hospital, will stay in Japan on an agricultural station.

Because of New Zealand’s quarantine restrictions, his master Mr R. M. Wilson, of Kirwee, has sold Tiger. Twelve sheep, including eight stud rams worth $20,000, will also remain here for the same reason.

Tiger and six of the rams have been given to an experimental agricultural station in Iwate Prefecture, Northern Japan. Mr J. G. Alexander, of Wanganui, president of the Romney Marsh Sheepbreeders’ Association, bought Tiger from Mr Wilson, to present him to the Prefectural Government.

The Meat and Wool Boards combined to give the rams. The rams will be used in breeding experiments designed to boost Japan’s sheep population, at present only 69,000.

Tiger’s future work is undecided, though he may continue to head sheep if the language problem can be overcome.

Tiger and the sheep were among the stars of New Zealand’s national day festivities at Expo. Tiger, a five-year-old black and white Collie, gained plaudits when he went on with the national day show under the command of Mr G. Bowen after Mr Wilson suffered a heart attack the night before.

The sheep were a popular attraction on the day and subsequently, when they were paraded round the New Zealand pavilion. gFew Japanese have seen a live sheep and they were fascinated by the animals, prodded the wool and sat their children on the backs of the rams for photographs.