Dorset sheep bound for St Helena on Royal Mail ship (From Dorset Echo)
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Dorset sheep bound for St Helena on Royal Mail ship
6:30pm Tuesday 18th October 2011 in News By Laura Kitching
Vet Joe Collins with one of the sheep
SIXTY chickens and a flock of sheep were loaded on to the Royal Mail Ship St Helena as it made its final voyage from Portland Port.
The 6,767-tonne vessel, which is one of only two Royal Mail Ships left in the world and is a lifeline for its tropical island namesake in the South Atlantic, marked the end of an era as it departed borough waters.
Veterinarian Joe Hollins said the cargo of animals aimed to rejuvenate St Helena’s economy.
He said: “The flock of sheep and 60 chickens are designed to transform the island.
“Six breeders brought the sheep in three trailers, they are Dorpers – originally Dorset Horns and Persian Blackheads – which were developed by the Department for Agriculture in South Africa for arid lands.
“They’re tough, hardy breeds that forage well.
“St Helena has historically imported British breeds because it’s an overseas territory but it’s a tropical island with a lot of fly strike.
“This breed is self-sheering so they will be more resistant.
“We also had 60 lohmann brown chickens, which are specialist egg layers.”
Mr Hollins, who previously ran veterinary practices in Andover and the Falklands Islands, added: “We’re trying to make the island more sustainable; the island used to fill three ship holds a day with produce now it doesn’t produce much.
“I’m the island’s first vet and it’s such a challenging role – it’s rare to get virgin territory so there’s a hell of a lot to do.
“It encompasses conservation, public health and pest control.
“It’s a fantastic and beautiful island with laid back and friendly locals but it has severe economic problems because it doesn’t produce much capital and relies on grants and UN aid.”
Mr Hollins said the island had a rich history and had played a key role in the abolition of slavery and the French territories but now suffered from strong and healthy young people leaving to work abroad.
The average salary is £5,000 a year, despite a high cost of living.
RMS St Helena was docked at Portland Port for a week before making its final scheduled voyage from the United Kingdom last Friday.
The 128-berth cargo and passenger ship, which celebrates its 21st anniversary next month, will instead make more regular trips between Cape Town, Ascension Island and St Helena to improve island access.
