Sheep heads washed ashore in Horten in suspected illegal dumping

A local man discovered 21 severed sheep heads scattered along a beach in Horten on Saturday, prompting an investigation by police and wildlife recovery teams, Dagbladet reports.

Viktor Elias Hauge, 33, initially noticed plastic bags floating near the shore and approached to remove them before realizing the source of a “horrific” smell. “I’ve smelled that before—it meant a dead animal was nearby,” he said. Upon closer inspection, he found six or seven sheep skulls, some with remnants of wool, skin, and eyes, all split down the middle. “This wasn’t natural. They’d been dumped, either from shore or a boat.”

Hauge, who frequently walks the beach, described the scene as “nauseating.” He reported the find to local police, who alerted the Fallviltgruppa (wildlife recovery team). A total of 21 heads were collected.

Hans Reidar Johansen of the recovery team told local media the heads likely came from a smalahove feast—a traditional Norwegian dish of boiled sheep’s head—held on a boat. “Someone probably thought nature would take care of it, but this belongs in food waste,” he said, calling the dumping improper.