Last month, Pakistan saw the birth of a new media star as a goat called Simba was born with abnormally long ears that are 54cm long (21 inches).
His appearance has also been described as camel-coloured which is very rare for a goat says his breeder, Mohammad Hasan Narejo.
“It is all camel-coloured and it’s ears are white so it’s a pretty unique thing.”
Some may argue that Dumbo would’ve been a more fitting name given his oversized ears, however Narejo preferred a more regal name and stated that he named him Simba because he watched The Lion King as a child.
Upon realising the goat’s potential world record status, Narejo contacted Guinness World Records to see if Simba could be added to the “longest eared goat” category but as of now, no such record exists on the organisations website.
However, the request has been accepted and GWR are expected to come and measure Simba within the next 10 to 12 weeks.
These ears weren’t made for walking on
According to Narejo, Simba’s ears are so long that he needs to fold them over his back to prevent him from stepping on them.
Possibly watching Dumbo in his youth and not wishing for his long eared friend Simba to be similarly bullied for his clumsiness, Narejo designed a special harness that allows the goats ears to be safely secured around his neck.
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes
While unofficially the world’s longest eared goat at the moment, Simba has shot into super stardom within a month of his existence and has even won a beauty contest.
“Within 10 to 12 days of his birth he was already appearing in all the national and international media – and won a beauty contest. Within 30 days he became so popular that even a famous personality might take 25 to 30 years to achieve this level of fame.”
Simba will be used to promote his country of Pakistan as being a top goat-breeding nation says Narejo. Hoping that the goats name is recognised all over the globe.
“Simba’s Pakistan name must roam the whole world.”
The price of fame
Being famous also comes with a price as Simba could attract the wrong kind of attention from rival breeders says Narejo, who attempts to protect the goat from those who would do him harm through the power of prayer and tradition.
“We recite Koranic verses and blow on him to cast away the evil eye,”
“Following a long tradition we inherited from our elders, we have fastened a black thread around him that is fortified with Koranic verses.”
Perhaps the 2020’s will become known for the rise of unique animals as last year, a goat was born with the head of a monkey.
We’ll have to see how the rest of the decade pans out to confirm.