Man saves ‘fat sheep’ after it becomes stuck on its back

Vision of a man rescuing a topsy-turvy sheep in Cumbria, UK has gone viral after it was shared on social media.

The video, first posted to Facebook on June 18, has received more than 760 likes and been viewed almost 13,700 times on YouTube.

“Saved a fat sheep that couldn't get up, it looked dead at first but got closer and it woke up rolling around just needed a push,” rescuer Darren Green said.

Sheep are known to become trapped on their back and unable to rise due to the added weight of a pregnancy or a fleece, or their centre of gravity being off.

Known as “cast sheep”, these animals – if not rescued – may become stressed and suffocate to death, owing to gas build-up in the stomach.

Mr Green’s heroic efforts have won him the praise of a number of Facebook users.

“I would like to thank the person that took this short piece of video showing a sheep in a very distressed state,” user Jon Joe said.

“It … shows one of the worst situations, that could lead to a very painfull [sic] death.”

“Sadly quite common, especially on slopes as sheep cannot roll all the way over so if their legs are uphill of them, they are stuck and lying in this position [and] their lungs can't cope,” user Helen Howe said.

“I have saved one or two at the death rattle stage... It's a great feeling.”