shaggy sheep who gained notoriety after avoiding being shorn for years is being mourned by New Zealanders after dying.

Shrek hid in caves on his farm in the South Island for six years and when finally found was clad in 27 kilos of wool, five times the norm.

The Merino sheep's stubborness captured the public's imagination and he was shorn on live TV. Shrek died of ill health aged 17.