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Shrek, the world-famous merino will remain on ice till a decision is made whether or not the ovine can be mounted for exhibition at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.
Roxan Mathys, the museum’s acting communications manager, explained to The Epoch Times, that Shrek is currently being assessed by a taxidermist.
The taxidermist “will be getting back to us about possibilities once he has completed a full examination,” she wrote in her email.
An earlier report said that Shrek, aged almost 17, was reluctantly put down on June 6 by his owner John Perriam of Bendigo Station, Otago.
The celebrated merino wether [a doctored ram lamb], became famous for having evaded the shearing muster for at least six seasons. When found he was carrying a fleece that weighed 27kg—enough to make 27 men’s suits, scienceblog.com reckoned.
Shrek was shorn before a live TV audience across the world, and the money made from his fleece went to his favourite charity, Cure Kids. The worldwide publicity gained was worth an estimated $100 million for the export industry, according to Stuff News online.
Dreamworks, the Hollywood film studio that owns the animated Shrek trademark, has allowed Mr Perriam and Cure Kids to continue using the brand name on condition Te Papa agrees to exhibit Shrek at the museum.
During his time in the limelight, Shrek was flown in planes, visited sick children in hospital, met former Prime Minister Helen Clark, and was again shorn on live TV beamed across the world, this time on an iceberg floating off the coast of Dunedin.
Shrek fans have since created a Facebook page, “R.I.P Shrek,” where thousands around the world continue to leave tributes.
And across the Tasman Sea, Australian film makers want to immortalise the woolly merino in a documentary.
Mr Perriam said Shrek leaves behind a great legacy for New Zealand.
Mr Perriam’s first book, Dust to Gold: The Inspiring Story of Bendigo Station, home of Shrek, was a best seller within weeks of hitting the book shelves and all royalties continue to go to Cure Kids.
A second book, Shrek: The Story of a Kiwi Icon, is also on the bookshelves and its royalties will go to the charity as well.
In an earlier story, by the Epoch Times, Mr. Perriam farewelled his old mate.
“In human terms, he was close to 90-years-old,” Mr Perriam said, on TV One’s Close Up. “His circulation was shutting down and his front feet were in a lot of pain … he has been a great old mate. I think he wanted to go … he wanted to go to sleep.
“He has been such a fantastic story for New Zealand and I felt for all the kids out there … it’s been a fantastic seven years and he has taught us so much about giving.”
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