Mouflon in Cyprus with tangled horns. Incredible footage.

Two adult mouflon in Cyprus were immobilized after their powerful horns became entangled during a dominance struggle. The animals had to move together but eventually managed to free themselves. The extraordinary event was recorded by the Cyprus Game and Fauna Service.

The published footage shows the males working together to reach the water and cool off despite their interlocking horns. The video has a happy ending – in the final shots, both mouflon are free and calmly drinking.

In autumn there are more fights between mouflons

As autumn approaches, fights for dominance between mature male Cypriot mouflon, locally known as agrino, become more frequent.

Fighting is part of their natural behavior. Males use their powerful, curved horns to test their opponent's strength and establish their position.

In most cases, the fight ends without serious consequences. However, sometimes the animals' horns become wedged and intertwined, leaving the mouflon unable to separate on their own.

Tangled horns can lead to death

The Game and Fauna Service reports that such incidents don't always end well. Their staff has previously found dead mouflon in ravines and on steep slopes.

Animals that are joined together can lose their balance and fall from rocks. They also risk exhaustion, dehydration, and the inability to escape other threats.

If such mouflon are spotted early enough, service personnel intervene. Their task is to safely separate the animals and allow them to return to their natural habitat.

This time no human help was needed.

First cooperation, then liberation

The footage shows an unusual moment when two previously rival males are forced to cooperate.

The mouflon move together and try to cool off, unable to separate. They eventually manage to free themselves without intervention from Game and Fauna Service staff.

In the final part of the film, the two animals are separated and drinking water. This is the part that confirms that the incident ended without tragic consequences for them.

The Cypriot mouflon is the symbol of the island

The Cypriot mouflon is an endemic subspecies of wild sheep and one of the island's most recognizable animals. Its image can be seen on Cypriot euro coins, among other items.

The mouflon's natural habitat is primarily the forests and mountainous areas of the western Troodos Mountains. These animals are protected, so you should not attempt to approach them, scare them away, or intervene on your own if you notice a problem.

It's best to report an injured, trapped, or endangered mouflon to the Game and Fauna Service, providing the precise location. Attempting to separate adult males on your own can be dangerous for both humans and animals.

Sources: Game and Fauna Service, Philenews.