700 Sheep Embark on a Scenic Ferry Crossing for Conservation
Sheep Drive at Priwall Ferry: 700 Animals Cross the Trave to Lübeck's Nature Reserve
The annual sheep drive at the Priwall ferry to Dummersdorf Shore drew crowds once again on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as around 700 sheep set off from the Priwall peninsula toward Travemünde. Their destination: the Dummersdorf Shore nature reserve in Lübeck, where the animals will graze the land over the coming months as part of conservation efforts.
For the crossing, 550 sheep were gathered onto the Priwall ferry and transported across the Trave River. Shepherd Jessica Neuwald accompanied the journey, according to reports from NDR Schleswig-Holstein. After docking, the flock moved out in formation, continuing with the shepherding team toward Kücknitz.
Sources described the loading process as calm, with the animals boarding without issue. On the Travemünde side, the herd moved swiftly to stay together, ensuring a smooth transition from the short ferry ride to their overland trek.
Meanwhile, a separate solution was arranged for the lambs. The team rounded up 170 lambs in advance and transported them by vehicle to the destination. The group reunited later on the meadows once the main flock arrived at Dummersdorf Shore. There, the sheep will keep the grass trimmed and help maintain the landscape, supporting the upkeep of the protected area.
During the winter months, the herd had been staying at Gut Brook in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. With their return to the Trave, the grazing season in the nature reserve has now begun anew. Visitors to Dummersdorf Shore can expect to encounter the sheep on the pastures in the near future as they gradually move through the area.
