Photo/Illutration

Editor's note: This is part of a series of videos offering an up-close perspective on the animal kingdom. A special 360-degree video camera system was set up in zoos and other facilities to show how the animals view their world as they interact.

Also visit our special 360-DEGREE LIVES page (http://t.asahi.com/360lives), where you can watch all the previous videos.

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While the Mother Farm in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, remained temporarily closed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, life went on as usual as it celebrated an annual spring baby boom of lambs.

Sheep, ignorant of the pandemic disrupting life in the outside world, gave birth when the weather turned warm in springtime, when the pasture was green and it was suitable for them to nurture their lambs.

In mid-March, newborn lambs were seen running around and grazing in pastures at a rearing facility.

When they discovered the 360-degree camera planted in a box containing food, some lambs licked and even gnawed on the lens filter, seemingly curious about the camera accessory.

There was a baby lamb born the morning I visited Mother Farm. It stayed close to its mother. The newborn could hardly stand, tottering on its wobbly legs.

According to staffer Shigeru Enoki, sheep, horses, deer and other grass-eating animals can walk within one to two hours after birth, so that they can flee from carnivorous predators.

In addition, sheep have horizontally elongated pupils to quickly detect predators. Their visual fields can span 270 to 320 degrees. With their strong peripheral vision, they can see behind them without turning their heads.

Because of their flocking instinct, sheep have been domesticated for about 10,000 years, Enoki added. They have been genetically modified for meat, milk, wool and other purposes for producing products for human use.

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