Senegal's fanciest sheep are not destined for slaughter, but lives of luxury

(12 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dakar, Senegal - 10 June 2024
1. Balla Gadiaga, businessman and sheep breeder, petting one of his prized sheep
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Balla Gadiaga, businessman and sheep breeder: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOTS 3 AND 4++
“He’s from an excellent family. His father was named Capital, who was a well-known champion in the breeding world. His mother is Yacine Safar. She is still alive, a big champion, and her father was called Major. Her grandfather was Batonnier, the first sheep to reach a height of 1.2 metres.”
3. Poster on wall of father of one of Gadiaga’s prized sheep
4. Various of man giving vitamins to sheep
5. Various of Gadiaga’s assistant petting sheep
STORYLINE:
As Muslims worldwide prepare to celebrate Eid Al-Adha, Senegal's locally bred star sheep have their moment to shine.

Ladoum sheep, that can fetch tens of thousands of dollars, live a life of luxury in special parlors where they are massaged, groomed and fed syringes full of vitamins.

Muslims on Eid al-Adha kill and eat a sheep to commemorate the Quranic tale of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice Ismail as an act of obedience to God.

But like Ibrahim's son, Senegal's prize sheep will be spared.

The majestic-looking Ladoum can weigh up to 397 pounds (180 kilograms), and it has made this coastal West African nation famous among breeders.

Celebrated for their gleaming white fur and symmetrical horns, the animal is most often bought for prestige breeding and beauty contests, and not to be eaten.

Very few in Senegal can afford a Ladoum.

Worth up to $70,000, the sheep is the ultimate symbol of social prestige in a country where the GDP per capita does not exceed $1,600.

After years of record inflation, many struggle to afford regular sheep at prices starting from around $280.

Balla Gadiaga is a businessman and breeder who knew from a young age that he wanted to raise sheep.

He has a close relationship with his sheep, who walk up to greet him when he approaches their pens.

Gadiaga and his assistants massage the sheep for hours a day, which they claim helps them grow.

He claims he would not sell his most expensive Ladoum for less than 40 million CFA francs - more than $65,000.

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