Feral Goats at Lynton
Update January 2010
We are pleased to report that the feral goats destined to be culled in Lynton, North Devon, have been saved. The Lynton Feral Goat Preservation Society has safeguarded their future by arranging for the Surrey Wildlife Trust to take them for conservation grazing.
Bob Hitch visited the Trust’s proposed conservation area in September 2009, walking the site and meeting with their grazing manager. Many issues were discussed regarding the welfare of the Lynton goats, including supplementary feeding, shelter, health care and a future breeding management programme. Here are some photos from Bob's visit showing the beautiful location and some of the other feral goats that already live on site.
The original intention was to round up the goats on the 3rd November, give them a health check, and move them to Surrey on the following day. Unfortunately, however, due to poor weather conditions, the round up has been postponed until Spring of 2010. The intention is to leave about 50 goats Lynton to continue their grazing programme.
It is hoped by both the Trust and ourselves that Buttercups can continue to be closely involved in helping the Surry Wildlife Trust with the future management of the feral goats kept on their conservation sites.
Background to this Story
The scenic Valley of Rocks, at Lynton, North Devon provides a beautiful home to 170 feral goats. But Buttercups received reports in August 2009 that this idyll was to be violently shattered by the council, who planned to kill around 120 healthy animals. This isn’t the first time Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council had taken such repugnant action; they have shot feral goats considered surplus to requirements in the past. Locals complain some of the goats can be a nuisance, but we believe the council is responsible for finding a better solution; one that doesn’t involve killing healthy goats on an annual basis. However, we can’t encourage the council to listen to us and agree to a better solution unless we have your support and financial help.
Wild goats have lived in the Valley of the Rocks for at least 1000 years, with numbers swelling, declining and even disappearing over various periods of history. Today’s herd, numbering 170 animals, is not pure-bred, but is founded on the bloodlines of the British Primitive goat, introduced by the very earliest farmers to this country. Without a doubt, these goats can be a nuisance to local residents, typically when they go in search of food when forage in the Valley proves insufficient. However, if the goats were actively managed, either by castrating entire billies or by removing them from the herd at an early stage, the problem of over breeding would cease.
Appeal for Help
Buttercups launched an appeal for help for these goats in August 2009. Many thanks to the kind people who responded with offers of support and donations.
Although the urgency of the situation for the feral goats at Lynton appears to have been successfully resolved, Buttercups feels there is still valuable work to be done providing support and advice to organisations like the Surrey Wildlife Trust, who are taking on feral goats, and in researching further into the health and welfare of other feral herds in the UK to ensure they are managed effectively and given appropriate health care. Buttercups intends to use any monies received for the feral goat appeal for these purposes.
Make a donation to our feral goat appeal here.