Fight To Save Goats

[roan]

nzherald.co.nz
International fight to save rare Marlborough goats
New 7:00AM Tuesday March 04, 2008

An international effort is under way to save rare goats marked for death on an island in the Marlborough Sounds.

Rare-breed enthusiasts from New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces to raise money to rescue some of the Arapawa goats before a cull on Arapawa Island.

The goats are believed to have descended from a few left on the island by Captain Cook in 1773 and 1777 and to be a unique species. However, the Department of Conservation says the animals are ravaging unique plant species on the island and their numbers need to be controlled.

[4pygmies]

Much as I ADORE goats and think they are the most beautiful, intelligent and affectionate animals on the planet (apart from dogs, cats and children) I have to say that they are incredibly destructive if allowed to run free so I can understand the need for this. They have wreaked havoc on the Galapagos Islands too and are being culled as they are damaging the native giant Tortoises habitat too much.
I hope they can save enough to prevent the breed from extinction though - that seems quite wrong.

Funny how they are prepared to kill goats but the rodent hordes spread across all these sensitive environments without check. Odd...very odd....I think this needs looking into....

[roan]

The said:

roan said:

nzherald.co.nz
International fight to save rare Marlborough goats
New 7:00AM Tuesday March 04, 2008

An international effort is under way to save rare goats marked for death on an island in the Marlborough Sounds.

Rare-breed enthusiasts from New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces to raise money to rescue some of the Arapawa goats before a cull on Arapawa Island.

The goats are believed to have descended from a few left on the island by Captain Cook in 1773 and 1777 and to be a unique species. However, the Department of Conservation says the animals are ravaging unique plant species on the island and their numbers need to be controlled.

Just how many are there Roan? What a shame!

Have a look at this web page, it gives more details about them:

www.rarebreeds.co.nz/arapawagoat.html

[mickthecactus]

Indeed. They are one of the most destructive creatures for eradication of succulents (other than man of course) simply because they are the only plants that will grow in their habitat.