Big Ben, one of four sheep captured after five years without being shorn, may have set a new world record for the heaviest fleece from a single sheep.
Big Ben (at right) is one of four sheep captured after five years at large. Photo: SUPPLIED
The merino ram was found on Mike Lindsay's farm at Omahau Hill Station in Twizel.
On Saturday night, former world champion shearer Tony Dobbs took 25 minutes to shear Big Ben whose fleece weighed in at 28.9 kilograms.
Mr Lindsay is deciding how to use the combined total of more 90 kilograms of wool from the four sheep to raise money for the Twizel medical centre.
He is also waiting for formal confirmation of the record by the Guinness Book of Records.
Big Ben with his shearing team. From left, Peter Casserly, Mike Lindsay, John Walsh, Tony Dobbs and Eli Cummings. Photo: SUPPLIED