Rare wild sheep thrive on Finland’s diverse Säppi island

The remote island of Säppi in the Bothnian Sea National Park is home to one of Finland’s few populations of wild mouflons, a rare species of wild sheep introduced from Corsica in 1949, reports Yle.

Around 30 mouflons currently live on the 150-hectare island, where they roam freely across varied landscapes—from dry pine forests to wetlands. This spring, four lambs were born, though one adult died over winter of unknown causes.

The island’s rugged terrain and protected status mean fallen trees from last winter’s storms remain untouched, adding to its wild character. A historic 28-meter lighthouse, once home to keepers and pilots, stands as a landmark; its 130-step climb offers sweeping views, though no mouflons were spotted during the visit.

Mouflons resemble domestic sheep but are leaner, with dark, straight coats marked by white patches on older rams. Males develop distinctive curved horns, twisting like a clock face from six to seven o’clock as they age.

Winter feeding improvements after past failures
The Reposaari Hunting Association oversees the animals’ winter feeding after over ten mouflons starved two years ago, sparking criticism. Since then, feeding stations and supplies have been expanded.

“We’ve improved reliability—it’s no longer dependent on a single solution,” said association chair Pasi Salminen. “The last two winters show the mouflons haven’t gone hungry. Food has been available all season.”

Despite abundant hay and grain in automated feeders during the visit, the shy animals stayed hidden. Only glimpses were caught, though a visiting birder, Jani Vastamäki, managed to photograph some.

With just over 100 mouflons in Finland—mostly on Säppi, Inkoo’s Hättö island, and the Archipelago Sea—encounters remain rare. The island, 10–15 kilometers offshore, draws summer hikers, but its wild residents keep their distance.