A bizarre showdown between a goose and a sheep has turned an unlikely pair of West Auckland backyard animals into a viral internet sensation.
Footage of Thomas the goose taking on one of his much larger paddock mates has racked up more than a million views after he managed to topple the sheep and refused to let go.
Seven Sharp met the animals behind the viral encounter and learned the rivalry was very much still alive.
Thomas the goose shared a lifestyle block with three sheep — Bubba, Richard and Spotty — owned by Gary Stone, who said the animals generally got along despite the occasional spats.
Stone said he was working in his shed when he heard the commotion and happened to pull out his phone at the right moment.
"When the sheep was down the goose wasn't letting go, so I had to go over there and I just gave him a little tap and he went on his way," he said.
"He's never taken them down since or before then, so it was one in a million, I guess."
Stone posted the footage through an account for his side business making fishing lures, where it quickly took off.
"It got about a million views within a week," he said.
Thomas was keen for a rematch when Seven Sharp visited the property with tensions flaring up once again between the goose and his woollen neighbours.
This time, Richard the sheep fought back, delivering a headbutt that sent Thomas on his way.
Stone said he didn't encourage the fighting, but Thomas was rarely willing to back down.
"He's a fighter," he said.
"He goes until it all stops and the sheep give up. The sheep move away and so he's the victor."
He had a different theory as for why Thomas was determined to take on animals several times his size.
"They're obviously both grass-eating animals and the same colour, so I think he thinks he's an old ram or something like that."
SHARE ME