Sheep come running when Larbi El Ghazouani pours alfalfa and straw into their troughs twice a day. He had counted on selling the bulk of his sheep to Moroccans preparing for early June's Eid Al-Adha holiday,

In the first request in 29 years, he cited economic hardship and the climate crisis for dwindling herds and rising prices.

Eid al-Adha, to take place in June, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command. Muslims mark the event by slaughtering sheep or goats. The meat is shared among family and donated to the poor.