40kg of wool sheared off giant merino sheep

A giant overgrown merino sheep has had 40kg of wool removed after being sheared.

Animal welfare group RSPCA ACT appealed for help from a shearer after finding the sheep in Canberra, Australia.

The giant sheep, named Chris, is three to four times a normal size.

Merino sheep are bred for their wool, and can face infections if they go ungroomed for too long.

Tammy Ven Dange, chief executive of RSPCA ACT, said the sheep had an estimated five years of wool on him and "could barely walk".

Luckily Ian Elkins, four-time winner of the Australian Shearing Championship, came to the rescue.

He said grooming the giant sheep "could be one of my biggest challenges yet".

As the sheep was sheared, his legs and body became visible.

Chris the sheep is pictured after his makeover sporting a green coat to keep his body warm.

Ms Ven Dange added that the pink stain is antiseptic spray.

The shearer removed 40kg of wool from Chris the sheep.

Ms Ven Dange said that Chris had been given his name by the person who found him, adding it "seemed appropriate to use it after all was done".