Sheep abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What are sheep?

• Sheep are ruminant ungulates related to goats that have a strong preference for living in a herd. They are well known for their wool.
• In terms of temperament, they are the more timid counterparts to goats, which can make them somewhat distant as pets.
• Wild sheep species include the wild sheep (argali), Asiatic mouflon, urial (steppe sheep), bighorn sheep, thinhorn sheep, and the snow sheep.
• Sheep are kept in various ways; ranging from enclosed pastures and grasslands to nomadic-style herding, where they are managed by a shepherd.

Where can you see wild sheep abroad?

• Wild sheep, or argali, inhabit the mountain ranges and high plateaus of eastern Central Asia. They spend the summer at high altitudes and move closer to the valleys during the winter months.
• The Asiatic mouflon can still be found, most notably, in the Alborz region of Iran.
• The urial (or steppe sheep) ranges from northeastern Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and southwestern Kazakhstan to northern Pakistan and Ladakh in northwestern India. As the name suggests, this species primarily inhabits steppe landscapes and high-altitude grasslands in mountainous regions.
• The bighorn sheep lives in arid, rugged terrain, such as canyons and rocky cliffs, across western North America, stretching from Mexico to Canada.
• The thinhorn sheep inhabits the dry, mountainous regions of Alaska and western Canada.
• The snow sheep is found in eastern Siberia.

Where can you volunteer or complete an internship involving sheep abroad?

• New Zealand is well-known as a true "sheep country," where you can easily find work with a sheep farmer during a working holiday.
• Australia also has many sheep farms, where you can find seasonal or temporary work.
• In the United Kingdom, from England to Scotland, as well as on various islands, there are many sheep farmers who could use your help.
• Countries with very high sheep populations, such as China, India, Iran, Nigeria, and Chad, offer fewer employment opportunities for working backpackers and international volunteers. This is largely due to the small-scale, impoverished, and remote nature of these (often family-run) operations.

Are sheep dangerous?

• Because of their timid nature, wild sheep are harmless; the chances of meeting them up close are slim.
• Working with sheep, however, carries a slightly higher level of risk. Sheep that are away from the flock, for instance, during shearing, may put up a strong struggle, often by thrusting their hard heads against you or between your legs.