Queensland police investigate after 5,500 sheep worth $1.7m stolen from farm

Police say the sheep were stolen from a property 830km west of Brisbane between February and May

Queensland police investigate after 5,500 sheep worth $1.7m stolen from farm

TL;DR

  • Approximately 5,500 Dorper sheep, worth more than $1.7 million, were allegedly stolen from a western Queensland farm.
  • The sheep were taken from a property near Blackall between February and May.
  • The stolen sheep are Dorper breed, fitted with white NLIS tags, and have black faces.
  • Both ewes and rams were taken.
  • Police suspect the large-scale theft was organized and required planning.
  • Industry representatives noted a concerning rise in similar incidents across the state.
  • Thefts of this magnitude are often discovered during musters or at abattoirs.
  • While smaller thefts can be opportunistic, these numbers suggest organized criminal activity.