A heartwarming story has taken a concerning turn as Baanksy, a talented painting sheep from Farm Sanctuary SA in Franschhoek, has gone missing.

The beloved animal artist, who gained global recognition for his unique painting skills, was last seen on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

Now, the sanctuary is offering a staggering R1.2 million reward for information that leads to his safe return.

A Disappearance That Raises Questions

Baanksy’s absence was first noticed when he failed to show up at his art studio on Sunday, February 2, to complete a commissioned painting for a visiting family from the United Kingdom.

Concerned, sanctuary staff began searching the grounds and eventually reported the disappearance to the police.

Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a spokesperson for the local police, confirmed that an investigation into a stock theft case is underway.

“The complainant stated that she left the sheep on February 1 around 5:00 PM, and when she returned the next morning at 9:15 AM, he was gone,” Twigg reported.

“No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.”

A Reward Worth the Talent

Joanne Lefson, the founder and director of Farm Sanctuary SA, expressed the sanctuary’s urgency in finding Baanksy.

“Initially, we offered a smaller reward, but now we’ve increased it to R1.2 million because we need answers,” she explained.

“He might have been stolen, but there were no signs of forced entry. Or maybe he wandered off into the Winelands—we just don’t know.”

Lefson also justified the large reward, emphasizing Baanksy’s value.

“His paintings sell for around R35,000 each, and he has gained international recognition.

He learned by watching another animal paint, which makes him truly special. You can’t just replace a painting sheep.”

A Rising Star in Animal Art

Baanksy’s journey to artistic fame began in 2022 when he was rescued as a lamb from the side of the road in the Karoo, an intensive sheep farming region in South Africa.

Inspired by Pigcasso, the world-famous painting pig who was also rescued and given a second chance at life, Baanksy took up painting in an unexpected way.

According to the sanctuary, Baanksy frequently watched Pigcasso at work.

Then, in 2024, an accidental discovery led to his artistic debut.

During a routine shearing session, a paintbrush was used to clear hair from the shearer’s blade.

Left behind in the stall, Baanksy curiously picked it up and mimicked the movements he had observed in Pigcasso.

From that moment, his career as an artist began, and he has since sold paintings worldwide, raising awareness and funds for animal welfare.

A Legacy at Stake

The sanctuary’s concern extends beyond Baanksy’s artistic talent.

“His life holds intrinsic value beyond the brush,” Lefson stated.

“His art serves as an inspiration and carries an important message about the plight of farm animals.

We are hopeful that he will be found and safely returned.”

Baanksy’s last known painting was a yellow heart in honor of Valentine’s Day, completed on February 14.

His work has touched countless people, making his disappearance even more heartbreaking.

Conditions for the Reward

Farm Sanctuary SA has outlined two key conditions for the reward:

Baanksy must be returned alive to the sanctuary.
Half of the reward money must be donated to a charity of the recipient’s choice.

The sanctuary has also provided details to help identify the missing sheep.

Baanksy can be recognized by paint stains on his hooves and, of course, his remarkable ability to paint.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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