Sheep, goats and cattle to graze Tartu green spaces this summer

Sheep have arrived in Tartu's Annelinn district to delight residents and keep the grass trimmed. By the end of summer, up to 20 sheep along with goats and cattle will be grazing across the city's green areas.

The city of Tartu has welcomed its first woolly lawnmowers of the season, as sheep arrived in the Annelinn district on Wednesday to spend the summer grazing on the city's green spaces.

Three sheep were initially brought into the city, but the herd is set to grow significantly over the coming months. By the end of summer, up to 20 sheep will be roaming Tartu's green areas, joined by goats and cattle as part of the city's eco-friendly grass management initiative.

The animals serve a dual purpose — keeping the grass at a manageable length while also bringing joy to local residents who can observe them in an urban setting. The initiative reflects a growing trend among Estonian municipalities to use grazing animals as a natural and sustainable alternative to conventional lawn mowing.