Harald VI
Military mascot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harald VI (born 7 April 2017) is a Swedish Gute ram who serves as the mascot for the Gotland Regiment and Gotland Battlegroup.
Harald VI in 2024 | |
| Breed | Gute |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 7 April 2017 |
| Nationality |  Sweden |
| Employer |  Swedish Army |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Known for | Mascot of the Gotland Regiment |
| Predecessor | Harald V |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Owner | Katarina Amér |
He is the sixth ram to hold the role, continuing a regimental tradition that began in 1979. Harald VI appears at regimental ceremonies and public events, where he serves as a symbol of Gotland's cultural heritage.
Life
Harald VI was born on 7 April 2017 in Fardhem, Gotland County, to local sheep breeder Katarina Amér.[1][2] He belongs to the Gute breed, a heritage landrace native to Gotland that descends from the island's ancient horned outfield sheep and is regarded as one of Sweden’s oldest domestic sheep varieties.[3]
As a lamb he was kept alongside his predecessor, Harald V, which accustomed him to human contact and ceremonial environments.[1][4] Amér, who has long specialised in breeding Gute sheep, described Harald VI as being fostered "like an adjutant" by Harald V, and later as taking on a similar role with younger rams in her flock.[1]
History
The Gotland Regiment is the only regiment in the Swedish Armed Forces to maintain a live animal mascot.[5] The tradition of using Gute rams began in 1979 with Harald I, who was later promoted to second lieutenant after serving in ceremonies including the royal guard at Stockholm Palace.[5][1] Since then, successive rams named Harald have represented the regiment, serving as living symbols of Gotland’s cultural heritage and sheep-farming traditions.[6]
Following the sudden death of Harald V in September 2019, Harald VI was recruited as the next mascot at the age of two.[4][6] He made his official debut in January 2020 at the ceremony marking the transfer of the Gotland Battlegroup's command from the Skaraborg Regiment to the Gotland Regiment.[6]
Harald VI typically takes part in several regimental events each year, including parades, transfer ceremonies, and public celebrations.[1] Before such occasions his owner, Amér, is informed of the schedule and duration of the assignment. For official duties he wears a specially made uniform in the M90 camouflage pattern.[1]