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Queensland police investigate theft of 5,500 sheep valued at $1.7 million

Authorities suspect an organized operation after thousands of Dorper sheep went missing from an outback property between February and May.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 06:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

Queensland police are investigating the disappearance of approximately 5,500 Dorper sheep from a rural property outside Blackall.
The missing livestock, consisting of ewes and rams with white identification tags, carries an estimated value exceeding $1.7 million.
Industry figures indicate the scale points toward coordinated rustling rather than opportunistic theft.
Investigators have not yet determined how the livestock were removed or where they were transported.

Queensland police reported that around 5,500 Dorper sheep were stolen from a farm near Blackall between February and May.[The Guardian]
The missing livestock, which include both rams and ewes, carry an estimated value of $1.7 million and are fitted with white National Livestock Identification System tags.[The Guardian]
AgForce general president Shane McCarthy noted that livestock thefts of this magnitude point to an organized operation requiring multiple people and prior planning.[The Guardian]
Blackall-Tambo mayor Andrew Martin suggested the sheep were more likely taken across several smaller operations rather than in a single incident.[The Guardian]

Authorities have not confirmed the method used to remove the livestock, whether through trucking, mustering, or multiple smaller operations.[The Guardian]
The identity and location of the perpetrators remain unknown as police continue to appeal for public sightings.[The Guardian]