Chris the sheep, known for holding the world record for the heaviest fleece, has died.

The Merino's death was announced on Little Oak Sanctuary's Facebook page with Chris's owners saying they were devastated by the loss.

"Chris is known as the world record holder for having the heaviest fleece," the post said.

"He was so much more than this, so very much more, and we will remember him for all that we was — someone, not something."

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Admirers of the sheep have flocked to social media to pay tribute to the overgrown ovine and his carers.

It is believed he survived to the age of 10 with most sheep living for a maximum of 12 years.

Little Oak have guessed that the extreme stress of his early life may have shortened his life span.

The famous sheep was first spotted rambling around Canberra in 2015 with an overgrown fleece that had not been shorn in years.

Once he was caught, an urgent search began for someone to shear the fleece.

Merino sheep are bred for their wool, with constant shearing needed to preserve an animal's health.

Chris's yarn attracted international attention when the 41.1-kilogram fleece broke wool world records.

The fleece was displayed at the National Museum of Australia and a children's book was even written about Chris with proceeds going to the RSPCA, who first rescued him.

Following the fleecing, the woolly wanderer was put up for adoption with hundreds volunteering to take him in.

Champion shearer Ian Elkins said he'd never seen anything like Chris's fleece. ( ABC News: Greg Nelson )

Little Oak Sanctuary in Manar, New South Wales, ended up looking after Chris in his later years.

The not-for-profit organisation located an hour east of Canberra cares for nearly 200 rescue animals.

Staff described him as "happy" and "settled" in his twilight years.