For 12 days straight, sheep have been walking in a circle in northern China’s Inner Mongolia.
A surveillance video shows the large flock continuously marching clockwise in a near-perfect circle on a farm.
While a few sheep observe the rotation from the outside, others stand motionless in the center.
A video of the strange scene was tweeted Wednesday by Chinese state-run outlet People’s Daily, which reported the sheep are perfectly healthy and the reason for their behavior is still unknown.
Ms. Miao, the sheep owner, said the spectacle began with a few sheep before the entire flock joined. Despite the fact that the farm has 34 sheep pens, only one of them – number 13 – has been acting this way.
Since Nov. 4, they have been on the move.
According to some, the sheep’s behavior could be caused by Listeriosis, also known as “circling disease.”
“Initially, affected animals are anorectic, depressed, and disoriented. They may propel themselves into corners, lean against stationary objects, or circle toward the affected side,” the Merck Manual states.
Typically, outbreaks are caused by spoiled or low-quality silage, according to the Merck Manual. However, sheep and goats usually die within 24 to 48 hours of exhibiting symptoms.