A tiny, partially blind lamb that became an internet sensation and a source of joy for thousands of Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic has died.

Wally was believed to be one of the smallest lambs in the world, weighing just 900 grams when he was born in August 2021 at an organic vegetable farm near Tower Hill in south-west Victoria.

A tiny lamb with a black face and white body stands amongst a field of yellow daffodils and is shorter.

The Pohlners say Wally was smaller than a daffodil as a lamb. (ABC South West Victoria: Emily Bissland)

Volcano Produce farmer Ben Pohlner found the little creature, which he said was the size of a Coke can, in a paddock during lambing season.

Against all odds, Wally survived and thrived under the care of Mr Pohlner’s wife, Sarah, who used her skills as a trained midwife to raise the lamb.

A small sheep rests on a man's shoulder.

Ben Pohlner found Wally, and his family cared for him until he died. (Supplied: Volcano Produce)

The sheep had a strong social media following throughout COVID-19 lockdowns, with Mr Pohlner posting regular photo and video updates on the farm’s Facebook page.

But after four years of Wally being a regular fixture at the Warrnambool farm, Mr Pohlner said he had sadly found him deceased in his enclosure last Sunday.

He said the sheep had not been himself for about a month.

Smiling Ben Pohlner holds two lambs, one normal size and the other very small, wearing a woolen jacket, he stands in paddock.

Ben Pohlner says tiny Wally weighed a third of what a normal lamb does. (ABC South West Victoria: Emily Bissland)

“There had been something wrong, but we couldn’t put our finger on it,” Mr Polhner said.

“We had the vet out about three weeks ago to give him a check over, but everything was fine. So it was a bit of a surprise to see he had died overnight.”

Mr Pohlner said Wally’s death was heartbreaking.

A tiny black and white lamb wears a blue jumper, is in a vegetable patch and is looking up at a woman who is lying on a machine.

Wally out in the vegetable fields at Volcanic Produce. (Supplied: Volcano Produce)

“Wally is such a faithful animal. He loves to play with you, walk with you. If you stop in [his paddock] and you’re not giving him attention, he’ll be pawing at your leg and giving you a little bleat to remind you that he’s there,’ Mr Pohlner said.

“He wants to be part of the family.”

It is not just the human members of the family that are missing Wally already.

Mr Pohlner said his sheep friend, Neil, was also distraught.

A masked Sarah Pohlner sits on stool, near box of lenses and optometrist's machine, holds Wally, man in suit fits blue glasses.

The Pohlners say caring for Wally included taking the poor-sighted lamb to the optometrist. (Supplied: Volcano Produce)

“Neil is just crying day and night at the moment, that makes it all the harder,” he said.

The cause of Wally’s death is unknown, but the vet believed he may have had a congenital heart issue, Mr Pohlner said.

While the family was sad at the loss, Mr Pohlner said they were glad to have cared for him.

“He had a life like no other sheep.”