Campbell Island sheep

The lease was first taken up by James Gordon of Gisborne, who shipped 400 sheep, along with timber for buildings, to the island.

[1][2] In 1927 the lease was auctioned and bought by John Warren, a farmer from Waitati, who brought another 5000 sheep to the island.

That year the island was set aside for the preservation of its flora and fauna, though its gazettal as a nature reserve did not take place until 1954.

[1][2] With an initial abundance of palatable food, sheep numbers increased to a peak in about 1913 of 7-8000.

Gradually, as the palatable plants became eaten out, the population went into a decline, with the flock down to 4000 in 1931 when it was abandoned.