Visitors to Thomayer University Hospital on the outskirts of Prague usually expect a calm, clinical setting. What they don’t expect is a front-row seat to a full-blown wildlife showdown.
But one hospital visitor recently captured exactly that.
Just outside the massive medical center, two animals could be seen clashing head-on — literally. The dramatic footage shows a pair of mouflons, a species of wild sheep native to the region, locking horns in a fierce display of strength.
The hospital sits alongside a protected forest, which means run-ins with local wildlife are fairly common. Still, watching wild sheep battle it out steps away from a hospital building is hard to ignore.
Mouflons are known for these dramatic encounters, especially during rutting season, when males compete for dominance by charging and headbutting each other with their thick, curved horns.
And while the sight may seem shocking to outsiders, at Thomayer University Hospital, the mouflons are more than just frequent visitors — they’re part of the community.
“Mouflons are an integral part of our hospital and are our uncrowned mascot,” the hospital shared online. “They currently form a large herd, numbering approximately one hundred.”
Rather than being viewed as a nuisance, the animals are embraced for the unexpected comfort they bring. Patients and staff alike say the presence of the wild sheep adds a sense of calm and connection to nature — even during difficult moments.
Some patients have reportedly chosen Thomayer University Hospital specifically because of the mouflons that roam the grounds, finding their presence soothing and uplifting.
“Every year, new cubs are added that will cheer up almost everyone,” the hospital wrote. “In general, for our patients — and not only them — these cute four-legged creatures have a positive effect and can even support recovery through pleasant therapy.”
So while most hospitals offer views of parking lots or city streets, Thomayer University Hospital offers something far more memorable — a reminder that sometimes, healing comes with a little help from nature.
