The heartbreaking story behind photo of bloodied lamb
A newborn lamb that was found abandoned in a field and being pecked by crows was rejected by her mum because of her disabilities.
The orphan, named Lily, was rescued last week by the Freedom Hill Sanctuary in South Australia, which was founded almost 10 years ago by Kym Henley.
Ms Henley took to the non-profit organisation’s Facebook page on Thursday to share Lily’s heartbreaking story and an image of how she was found bleeding in a field.
“This is how baby Lily was found: orphaned, alone and being pecked by crows,” she said.
Ms Henley said she was initially told that foxes had attacked her, prompting the carer to ask why the newborn was alone.
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After a few days in her care, Ms Henley said she learned Lily was orphaned by her mum because she is “different.”
“Upon Lily’s arrival she was unable to hold her mouth together, dribbling profusely and had what appeared to be swelling in the mouth,” she said.
A vet told her that night that Lily is what he referred to as a “dummy lamb”.
“The terrible name is for lambs who may have suffered a long birth and are deprived of oxygen,” she wrote on Facebook.
The newborn is unable to walk properly on one of her legs, doesn’t know how to eat and suffers from seizures.
“Lily is still with us and under veterinary guidance we are doing all we can to manage her disability. She is not in any pain and is an alert little girl who loves being cuddled,” Ms Henley said.
The carer told Yahoo News Australia Lily has another vet appointment this week and will hopefully join her group of special needs animals one day.
Another abandoned lamb named Ava was found near Lily and is now also at the sanctuary.
Ava was initially believed to be Lily’s sister, but Ms Henley said she has since learned they are not twins but are from the same flock.
“Ava makes number 11 baby welcomed to Freedom Hill Sanctuary, so yes our kitchen looks like a hospital nursery with bottles from one end to the other,” she laughed.
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