Farm sanctuary SA in Franschhoek is pulling out all the stops to locate one of its missing sheep Baanksy. The animal – who happens to be the world’s first sheep who can paint – disappeared without a trace earlier this month.

A reward of R1.2 million remains on offer for the safe return of the two-year-old ram. The animal rescue organisation’s founder and director Joanne Lefson is confident that her beloved animal is still alive and that he will return to the farm, ready to paint again.

“We have two of South Africa’s leading private investigators now assigned to the case. They’ve been at the farm, and in Franschhoek and in the winelands area for the last three days. We are also in touch with an animal communicator, who is also further opening up some leads for us,” said Lefson.

Baanksy learned how to paint, while watching fellow farm animal Pigcasso paint. Pigcasso is a 700 kilogram pig who also rose to stardom for using his snout to create art.

Franschhoek Police detectives are probing a case of stock theft after the world’s only painting sheep has gone missing. Farm Sanctuary SA, which is home to “Banksy” is offering a reward of R1.2 million. #smile904fmnews : supplied pic.twitter.com/T68I15QACT

— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) February 13, 2025

“We remain really positive that Baanksy will be returned to the sanctuary and that he will be reunited with his fellow sheep friends here at the sanctuary.

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