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Thousands of Sheep Walk Through The Streets of Madrid

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The grass was greener on the other side for the thousands of sheep that walked through Madrid during Fiesta de la Transhumancia (Transhumance Festival), on Oct. 23, 2016.

The tradition started as an ancient agricultural practice of moving a flock of sheep from one field to another to prevent overgrazing. The migration happens twice a year as the animals move from higher altitudes during the summer and lower altitudes during the winter, the Digital Journal reported.

The area’s shepherds struck a deal in 1418 that allowed the animals to walk through the city freely, however they had to pay a toll of 160 maravedies. A few shepherds still pay in the medieval currency in memory of the deal.

According to the National Post, the number of animals that take part in Transhumance has dropped from a million to a few thousand because of urban farming. The Ministry of Agriculture has been keeping the tradition alive by promoting the festival since 1994.

 

Shepherds guide sheep in the streets of Madrid during the
Shepherds guide sheep in the streets of Madrid during the annual celebration of transhumance.Marcos del Mazo—Pacific Press/LightRocket/Getty Images
Sheep Invade Madrid During Celebration Of Seasonal Livestock Migration
People have drinks at a bar as shepherds lead a flock of sheep along the streets of Madrid city center during the annual livestock migration festival.Pablo Blazquez Dominguez—Getty Images
Sheep Invade Madrid During Celebration Of Seasonal Livestock Migration
A shepherd leads a flock of sheep along the streets of Madrid city center during the annual livestock migration festival.Pablo Blazquez Dominguez—Getty Images
Spain Sheep Crossing
A boy runs by as shepherds lead their sheep through the centre of in Madrid, Spain.Daniel Ochoa de Olza—AP
Spain Sheep Crossing
People take photos as shepherds lead their sheep through the centre of Madrid, Spain.Daniel Ochoa de Olza—AP
Sheep Invade Madrid During Celebration Of Seasonal Livestock Migration
Sheep are mustered along the streets of Madrid city center during the annual livestock migration festival.Pablo Blazquez Dominguez—Getty Images
Spain Sheep Crossing
Shepherds lead their sheep through the centre of Madrid, Spain.Daniel Ochoa de Olza—AP
APTOPIX Spain Sheep Crossing
Shepherds lead their sheep through the centre of Madrid, Spain.Daniel Ochoa de Olza—AP

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