Hobbit Farm Animal Deaths: Up to 27 Creatures Perished in Filming Conditions
Disturbing details have emerged about the tragic deaths of up to 27 animals on a farm described as a "death trap" that was used to house livestock during the filming of The Hobbit trilogy in New Zealand. Animal handlers working on the production have alleged that the dangerous conditions at the facility led to multiple fatalities, raising serious questions about animal welfare standards in major film productions.
Dangerous Farm Conditions Described as "Death Traps"
Animal handler Chris Langridge, who was brought on as a horse trainer in November 2010, revealed he was immediately alarmed by the hazardous state of the farm where approximately 150 animals were housed. He described the property as riddled with precipices, sinkholes, and damaged fencing that created perilous zones for the animals in his care.
Langridge explained that he attempted to mitigate the dangers by filling some of the sinkholes created by subterranean streams and even supplied his own barriers to prevent horses from accessing the most hazardous areas. Despite these efforts, he described the challenge as ultimately "insurmountable" given the scale of the problems.
Tragic Incidents and Animal Fatalities
The first horse to die was a miniature pony named Rainbow, who had been earmarked for use as a hobbit horse. Langridge arrived at work one morning to find the pony still alive but with a broken back after apparently coming off a bank at speed and crash-landing. The animal had to be euthanised due to its severe injuries.
Just seven days later, another horse named Doofus became entangled in fencing and gashed its leg open. Although this animal survived, Langridge said he had reached his limit and left his position shortly afterward.
Following Langridge's departure, wrangler Johnny Smythe reported discovering a horse named Claire dead with its head submerged in a stream after tumbling over a bluff. After this incident, the horses were relocated to stables, where a third horse named Zeppelin also died. Veterinary records indicated Zeppelin died from natural causes related to a burst blood vessel, though Smythe expressed doubts about this conclusion.
Multiple Species Affected by Hazardous Conditions
The animal fatalities extended beyond horses to include other species kept on the farm:
- Six goats and six sheep died after tumbling into sinkholes, contracting worms, or experiencing digestive issues from new feed
- A dozen chickens were mauled to death by dogs on two separate occasions after being left out of their enclosure
- Various other animals perished in what handlers described as preventable circumstances
Smythe reported that he was dismissed from his position in October 2011 after arguing with his supervisor about the treatment of the animals in his care.
Production Company Response and Aftermath
A spokesman for trilogy director Peter Jackson confirmed that horses, goats, chickens, and one sheep died at the farm near Wellington, though he noted that some fatalities resulted from natural causes. Spokesman Matt Dravitzki acknowledged that two horse deaths could have been prevented and stated that the production company acted swiftly to enhance conditions following these incidents.
Dravitzki explained that the company invested hundreds of thousands of dollars upgrading housing and stable facilities in early 2011 and no longer rents the farm in question. He also mentioned that Jackson himself took in three of the pigs that had been used during filming.
Oversight and Accountability Questions
The American Humane Association, which oversees animal welfare on film productions, maintains that no animals were harmed during actual filming in New Zealand. However, the organisation acknowledged weaknesses in its supervision system, which monitors film sets but not the facilities where animals are housed and trained between shoots.
Langridge and his wife Lynn, who also worked as a wrangler, resigned in February 2011 and subsequently sent detailed concerns about the conditions to Brigitte Yorke, the trilogy's unit production manager. Langridge reported that he never received a response after providing additional information as requested.
The revelations about these animal deaths have sparked renewed discussions about welfare standards for animals used in entertainment productions and the responsibilities of production companies to ensure safe housing conditions between filming sessions.
