With his hands, Hassan Narejo from Pakistan gently drew both of Simba’s large, droopy ears and held them outstretched for the camera.
Letting them down again, they hang like curtains on either side of the baby goat’s adorable head, touching the grass.
Narejo, Simba’s owner, may work as an air traffic controller for Qatar Airways at Karachi Airport by night, but his real passion is breeding goats.
Born on June 4, 2022, Simba belongs to a breed called the Anglo-Nubian—a breed known for its long ears. Veterinarians say Simba’s are long even by Nubian standards.
Narejo sent the details of Simba’s achievement to Guinness World Records, as he suspects Simba’s ears could be a record. He is still awaiting their reply.
After birth, Simba’s ears were measured at 19 inches long, but they have since grown considerably and now measure some two feet from base to tip—and are still growing.
Those enormous ears recently garnered fame for the tawny-toned kid and his owner after their photo was posted online, attracting millions of admiring views globally.
Goat farming is common in Narejo’s native Pakistan, as goats have proven highly adaptable to the country’s diverse terrain. The practice is not regarded highly, though.
“Only doctors, engineers or bankers, and other formal professions like these are considered respectable; this is no longer the case now.
“Simba gave this profession a whole new meaning and respect.”
Intending to protect Simba from of online oglers who might throw shade on his accomplishment, Narejo has even placed a special amulet around his neck to ward off the “evil eye.”
As for the cause of Simba’s unusually long ears, veterinarians say it could be a thyroid issue or genetic oddity. Yet those ears don’t cause him much trouble.
As they dangle all the way to the ground, making it easy for Simba to trip over them, Narejo got him a special velvet pouch to hold up them so he can run and play with ease.
Narejo also regularly cleans Simba’s ears using a velvet cloth.
Typically, the long ears of goats help them keep cool in warm climes like those in Pakistan. Simba’s have abundant blood vessels allowing circulation back to his body to help regulate his temperature while out in the Karachi sun.
Narejo has some 35 other goats, but only Simba stays in the house with him. He hopes to preserve his genetics for future breeding endeavors.
“I bottle feed the goat myself in helping them with exercise,” Narejo said. “I have an emotional attachment to this goat.”
