Kiki the paralysed sheep has been given a new lease of life and is inspiring people around the world after she learnt to use electric wheelchair to whizz around the yard
A paralysed sheep has mastered the art of driving her own electric wheelchair and even “converting meat eaters to vegetarianism” with her ‘miracle’ intelligence.
Animal sanctuary owner Deb Devlin, 53, saved a lamb named Kiki from euthanasia in 2021 after discovering she had lost the use of her legs and was severely undernourished.
When the animal lover observed that Kiki could trigger baby toys using her head, she recognised the potential for the sheep to control an electric wheelchair and gain some independence. Generous supporters helped Deb’s sanctuary Don’t Forget Us, Pet Us collect US$1,500 (around £1,100) to collaborate with a mobility firm and design a custom chair featuring an attached stroller bed for Kiki to rest upon.
Extraordinary footage captured last month shows the three year old sheep manoeuvring the electric chair around the yard by pressing her head against the joystick.
Deb is thrilled by this breakthrough and reports that some social media viewers who witnessed the clips have even vowed to adopt vegetarianism as they “didn’t realised sheep could be that smart”.
Deb, from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, said: “It’s magical and I feel like this is the missing piece of what she needed.
“It’s been a tough few years but it’s truly amazing. It’s a miracle.”
Deb said they had to get a manual dog wheelchair for her and fashion a handle on it to push her and take her walks, but this meant she had no freedom at all, which just broke Deb’s heart.
She continued: “She always uses the right side of her head to activate things, like toys that would play music or light up.
“I just thought she’s brilliant’ and she could have some independent mobility and once the idea was in my head it never left.
“It’s so exciting because for the past three years all I’ve focused on is her quality of life because if she’s just going to sit there then that’s no life.”
Apparently, Kiki is now travelling all around the property, even visiting the horses and baaing at them.
Deb added: “She’s such an inspiration. One doctor said they’re going to show it to their patients to encourage them to learn to use their motorised vehicles.
“She’s a food animal and people don’t think she can be this smart. She’s wowed a lot of people and some have said they’re never eating meat again.”
Deb explains that Kiki was originally destined for slaughter, but her pregnant mother had contracted Cache Valley virus from a mosquito bite, resulting in birth defects including fused joints and spinal curvatures.
The owner contacted Deb, who believed she could improve Kiki’s nutrition and mobility despite the virus preventing normal movement.
One viewer remarked: “I will never eat lamb chops ever again. I had no idea they were this smart!”.
A second person commented: “Kiki is amazing and such an inspiration! Thank you for loving her and helping her live her best life!”.
A third supporter wrote: “We love you Kiki! You are such an inspiration and testament to the power of resilience! You have the most amazing humans too!”
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