The theft of about 5,500 Dorper sheep worth more than A$1.7 million may have gone undetected for months because of severe labour shortages on large outback properties, industry leaders have warned.
Queensland Police said the ewes and rams were allegedly taken from a property on the Blackall-Isisford Road, outside Blackall, between February and May 2026.
The disappearance is being investigated by detectives from the Rural and Stock Crime Squad, who have not established how the flock was removed or whether the animals were taken in one operation or over a prolonged period.
Police appeal over missing Dorper sheep
The sheep are fitted with white National Livestock Identification System tags, which are intended to track livestock as they move through the supply chain. Police are asking anyone who has seen Dorper sheep matching the description to contact investigators.
Detectives are also seeking information about suspicious stock movements, livestock transport activity or unusual behaviour near the property during the period in which the sheep disappeared.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Elliot said livestock theft could cause substantial financial losses for farming businesses already operating in difficult conditions.
“Livestock theft investigations can be complex, often spanning large geographical areas, which is why we work closely with producers, saleyards, transport operators and industry stakeholders to identify offenders and disrupt criminal activity,” he said.
Shane McCarthy, the general president of farming organisation AgForce Queensland, said the size of rural holdings and the shortage of workers checking livestock could make it difficult to notice animals were missing.
He said removing 5,500 sheep at once would have required several trucks and a large team, while taking smaller numbers over several months could have been easier to conceal.
“A mob that size would take a lot of logistics, a lot of trucks. There’s more than one person involved in that many sheep going missing,” Mr McCarthy said.
He warned that specialist officers were dealing with increasing reports of livestock theft, as well as the loss of fuel, machinery and other valuable farm equipment.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rural and Stock Crime Squad at Longreach on 07 4652 5209 or Crime Stoppers Queensland anonymously on 1800 333 000. The police reference for the investigation is QP2600984017.
