THE world's loneliest sheep has finally been rescued after being left stranded on a rock for two years – and has been taken to a local farm park.
A team of volunteers revealed how they brought the ewe – which they've now named Fiona – to safety after an "epic" mission.
Welfare inspectors have checked over the animal, which had been stranded on Scotland's north-eastern coast for two years.
Rescue group The Sheep Game declared: "She is in incredible fettle.
"Britain's loneliest sheep is lonely no more.
"We’ve named her Fiona and she’s now safe and well and heading to a well known Scottish farm park."
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They added on Facebook: "The rescue was EPIC!!"
One of those helping out, Ali Williamson, told of using "heavy equipment" to manouevre the sheep up an "incredible slope".
Ali added: "It was some job lifting her up that slope.
"She's going to a very special place where you will be able to see her every day."
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They had used some "heavy equipment" and the Scottish SPCA had checked her over.
A hovercraft company had also offered to help last week.
There were fears the sheep could not be reached by dinghy or boat because of dangerous rocky conditions near Balintore.
Concerns were raised that the fleece of the sheep – believed to have been there since 2021 – was so overgrown it could hardly stand.
And animal welfare experts at the Scottish SPCA warned any attempted intervention would likely prove "incredibly complex".
Jillian Turner first spotted the animal when kayaking from Balintore to Nigg in 2021.
She was shocked when returning this year to see the sheep remaining in the same place.
She said: "Her fleece on the first occasion was a normal year’s growth – however, on the recent trip the fleece was huge and touching the ground at the back.
“The poor ewe has been on her own for at least two years – for a flock animal that has to be torture.
"She seemed desperate to make contact with us on the two occasions we’ve gone past her."
A farmer is thought to have previously investigated rescue options, while drones were into the area to monitor the ewe's welfare.
A local boat skipper suggested the animal was taking cover nearby.
He said: "There are several caves in that area and it is believed it shelters in at least one of them – that would explain how it has survived.
"It is astonishing that it has made it through all weathers and in that exposed place – sheltering in a cave would explain it."
A petition on Change.org, calling for help rescuing the sheep, has attracted more than 55,000 signatures.
It was set up by Londoner Edoardo L'Astorina, who told how he and his girlfriend were "deeply moved by the story of a solitary sheep".
He described her plight as "a heartbreaking call that resonates with us deeply", adding: "Rescuing this beautiful sheep is not just about physical discomfort. It's about emotional wellbeing.
"We believe every life matters and we are committed to ensuring this lonely sheep gets rescued from its precarious situation."
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He said he wanted to "help raise funds for professional animal rescuers who have the skills and resources necessary for such a challenging rescue operation".
The British Hovercraft Company had suggested flying in a craft the sheep could be loaded on to, and was seeking funding for the 1,400-mile round trip that could involve.
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