Sheep Ratio Dips to 15 Woolies for Each New Zealand Citizen
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Sheep numbers in New Zealand are falling, but there are still more than 15 woolly animals for each member of the population.
The New Zealand Statistics Department said Friday that sheep numbers had fallen to 52.6 million by mid-1992, the lowest since 1964.
Sheep numbers in New Zealand, a land of rolling pastures, roast lamb and woolen sweaters, peaked at more than 70.3 million in 1982 before government subsidies were cut and wool and meat prices collapsed.
New Zealand’s sheep flock of 52.6 million compares with a human population of 3.4 million.
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