The Damara is at home from Underberg to Upington: Part 2

This article, the second in a two-part series, looked at the many positive attributes of the once underrated Damara sheep. We continue with its incredible mothering ability.

The mothering ability of the Damara is exceptional. A report released by Oklahoma State University in the US said: “The ewes produce enough milk even to raise twin lambs … they care well for their young and will even fight off predators. Orphan lambs are a rarity in the breed.” 

Wilna Broodryk, who farms in southern North West, says: “Damaras literally fight until they bleed to keep man and beast away from their lambs … I’ve already had to jump over gates and kraal walls [to escape an angry ewe].

“We also had a ram that would look after the ewes. One day, some calves pushed in among them at the drinking trough. Before anyone knew what was going on, the ram had butted two calves to death. And the calves were almost twice his size.” Underberg Damara farmer André Truter describes the Damara as a “wild sheep”, and says the Zulus call them AmaSpringbok because they “jump all over the place; they’ve injured more than one man who’s tried to catch them”.

With Damara rams weighing in at an average of 80kg, it’s not an easy animal to deal with when it’s charging down on you.