Sheep and goats cross Madrid in echo of past practice

Sheep and goats cross Plaza Mayor in central Madrid (Paul White/AP)

The bleating and bells of some 1,200 sheep and 200 goats took over Madrid on Sunday morning as part of a festival that recreates the pastoral practice of moving livestock to new grazing grounds.

Shepherds herded the animals through the paved streets of the Spanish capital while reenacting what their ancestors did for centuries: move flocks from cool highlands in the summer to lowland winter pastures.