Nunny's Farm: Animals die from yew tree poisoning at Grimsby petting farm

Neil Campbell, owner Nunny's Farm, with a Christmas tree branch in his left hand and a yew tree branch in his right

Several animals have died at a north east Lincolnshire petting farm after being accidentally fed yew tree branches, the owner has said.

Neil Campbell, of Nunny's Farm in Grimsby, said the toxic tree had been mixed in with donated Christmas trees.

As a result, three Southdown sheep and three goats died on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr Campbell said: "It's very upsetting for us. We were very attached to the animals and so were the public."

Three sheep and three goats died after eating yew at Nunny's Farm in Grimsby

He said all the dead animals showed had the hallmarks of poisoning, with yew trees later found among Christmas trees.

Christmas spruces and firs are regularly fed to the animals because they are a good, natural dewormer, explained Mr Campbell.

However, he suggested "only a trained eye" was likely to be able to distinguish a highly toxic yew from a Christmas tree.

Mr Campbell said the farm was treating it as a mistake.

The deceased sheep were named Meeni, Mynie and Mo. The goats were named Megan, Ian and Holly.

"A lot of people will have met the goats, in particular, during visits to schools and care homes, as well at the farm," said Mr Campbell, who added the surviving animals were feeling "a bit lost and depressed".

An English yew tree (Taxus baccata)

According to The Woodland Trust, yew trees contain "highly poisonous" taxane alkaloids.

Nick Edwards, a toxicologist with the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, said: "There are not that many very toxic plants in the UK, but the yew tree is one of them.

"All parts of the tree are poisonous. Grazing animals, such as sheep and goats, that consume significant qualities could come to harm, including dying."

Following the first deaths, the farm was immediately swept for any remaining yew tree branches, said Mr Campbell.

Nunny's Farm was officially opened in April 2021 and attracts up to 30,000 visitors a year.

The farm was badly flooded in storms in October and again in December, thwarting plans to open over winter.

"It's not been a great past few months for us," said Mr Campbell.