A dramatic incident unfolded in Walton Cardiff, Gloucestershire, early Sunday morning when approximately 220 pregnant sheep escaped from Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, causing a significant disruption on local roads.
The sheep’s unexpected adventure began around 03:00 BST when an open country gate allowed them to wander off the farm, leading to concerns for their safety and potential traffic hazards.
Edward Albutt, part of a generational farming family that manages the nature reserve, was alerted to the situation by frantic calls reporting that half of his flock was meandering through the residential area while the other half had blocked the busy A38 bypass.
In a matter of hours, local authorities and Mr. Albutt mobilized to round up the wayward animals, successfully returning them to safety after about an hour of herding.
Mr. Albutt expressed his deep concern upon discovering that the sheep had escaped. “When I heard the news, I felt anxious about their fate,” he said.
The herd, typically contained by a sturdy and easy-latching swing gate, took a surprising detour as they wandered under the bypass and onto the slip road leading to the Tewkesbury bypass. “Thankfully, no traffic was coming at the time; it could have been catastrophic,” he added.
Witnesses reported seeing the flock grazing nonchalantly on a patch of grass near the Wheatpieces Community Centre around 04:00 BST.
Albutt noted that the scene of sheep roaming freely in such a busy area was not only unusual but also dangerous.
“You don’t expect to see a flock of sheep in the middle of a busy road; it could have ended quite differently,” he said. “A car could have ploughed into any one of them; it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
This incident, while resolved without injury, highlights a recurring problem for the Albutt family. Mr. Albutt lamented that this was not the first occurrence of sheep escaping from the reserve, stating that such events are becoming increasingly common.
“If the sheep come along and find the gates even slightly open, they’ll make their way out for the fun of it,” he explained.
Frustration and anger mounted for Mr. Albutt as he reflected on the responsibility of the public in ensuring gates are closed properly after passing through.
“I was relieved that none of them had been killed, but that quickly turned into frustration and anger that someone has not bothered to close the gates again,” he said.
His plea to the community is simple yet vital: “Please, when you walk through a gate, just look behind you and check that it’s latched.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between agricultural practices and public safety, particularly in rural areas where livestock and vehicles share the same spaces.
As the Albutt family continues to manage their herd and graze the land of Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, they hope for greater diligence from the public in securing gates to prevent future escapes and potential tragedies on the road.
