June 17 will tell whether Shrek, New Zealand’s most famous merino, will be preserved for posterity as an icon to be exhibited at Te Papa National Museum in Wellington.
Shrek, who was put down June 6, shot to fame when he was found hiding in a mountain cave. He had been missing for six years and sported a fleece that weighed around 27 kgs—enough to make 20 men’s woollen suits, according to sciencenewsblog.com.
Dreamworks, the Hollywood film studio that owns the animated Shrek trademark, has agreed to allow the brand to be used by Shrek’s owner John Perriam on condition that Te Papa agrees to exhibit the austere woolly animal at the museum.
Found in 2004 on the side of a rocky hill near his home at Bendigo Station, Southland, the newly shorn Shrek televised live caught the imagination of millions around the world who watched the shearing blades clip through a six-year-growth of matted wool.
Two years on, Shrek again reached an international audience in 2006 when he was shorn atop a floating iceberg off the South Island coast of New Zealand.
He since became a national icon, and over ensuing years could command $16,000 an appearance while raising research funds for his chosen charity, Cure Kids. As ambassador, Shrek has raised more than $170,000 in the last seven years.
Mr Perriam and Cure Kids director Josie Spillane appeared on TV One’s Close Up on the day Shrek was put down, to talk about the 16-year-old wether’s last days. [A wether is a castrated ram.]
Shrek, who was put down June 6, shot to fame when he was found hiding in a mountain cave. He had been missing for six years and sported a fleece that weighed around 27 kgs—enough to make 20 men’s woollen suits, according to sciencenewsblog.com.
Dreamworks, the Hollywood film studio that owns the animated Shrek trademark, has agreed to allow the brand to be used by Shrek’s owner John Perriam on condition that Te Papa agrees to exhibit the austere woolly animal at the museum.
Found in 2004 on the side of a rocky hill near his home at Bendigo Station, Southland, the newly shorn Shrek televised live caught the imagination of millions around the world who watched the shearing blades clip through a six-year-growth of matted wool.
Two years on, Shrek again reached an international audience in 2006 when he was shorn atop a floating iceberg off the South Island coast of New Zealand.
He since became a national icon, and over ensuing years could command $16,000 an appearance while raising research funds for his chosen charity, Cure Kids. As ambassador, Shrek has raised more than $170,000 in the last seven years.
Mr Perriam and Cure Kids director Josie Spillane appeared on TV One’s Close Up on the day Shrek was put down, to talk about the 16-year-old wether’s last days. [A wether is a castrated ram.]
“In human terms, he was close to 90-years-old,“ Mr Perriam said. ”His circulation was shutting down and his front feet were in a lot of pain. [Today] wasn’t a day I was looking forward to because 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.”
Mr Perriam who lost his wife Heather 18 months ago to melanoma cancer had hoped Shrek would have died a natural death, but instead chose to put Shrek to sleep.
“He’s a tough old bugger, he’s a merino from the high country and they don’t give up easy.”
Speaking on a personal note, Cure Kids’ Ms Spillane said the last seven years had been an incredible journey.
“What I have seen through Shrek’s support has been phenomenal, not only the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the fact that he has taken our vision and our goals to the world and that we are trying to do our best for New Zealand kids by funding vital medical research into life threatening illnesses.”
She added that “the biggest bonus of the journey with Shrek” was the relationship Cure Kids charitable organisation had forged with the Perriam family.
“It’s been a journey and we have experienced some real highs and very real lows as well, and I’m sure the Shrek legacy will continue ... That’s something I will always be grateful [to the Perriam family] for.”
Mr Perriam has published three books with Shrek as the main character and all royalties will continue to be passed on to the Cure Kids charity, he said.
Meanwhile, Shrek fans have 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 elusive merino in a documentary, according to Stuff online news.
“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.”
Mr Perriam who lost his wife Heather 18 months ago to melanoma cancer had hoped Shrek would have died a natural death, but instead chose to put Shrek to sleep.
“He’s a tough old bugger, he’s a merino from the high country and they don’t give up easy.”
Speaking on a personal note, Cure Kids’ Ms Spillane said the last seven years had been an incredible journey.
“What I have seen through Shrek’s support has been phenomenal, not only the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the fact that he has taken our vision and our goals to the world and that we are trying to do our best for New Zealand kids by funding vital medical research into life threatening illnesses.”
She added that “the biggest bonus of the journey with Shrek” was the relationship Cure Kids charitable organisation had forged with the Perriam family.
“It’s been a journey and we have experienced some real highs and very real lows as well, and I’m sure the Shrek legacy will continue ... That’s something I will always be grateful [to the Perriam family] for.”
Mr Perriam has published three books with Shrek as the main character and all royalties will continue to be passed on to the Cure Kids charity, he said.
Meanwhile, Shrek fans have 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 elusive merino in a documentary, according to Stuff online news.
