Royal Golden Guernsey Goats join conservation herd
The six-month-old goats are welcomed by the Governor of Guernsey.
Three Royal Golden Guernsey goats have joined the island's conservation herd, previously comprised solely of Guernsey cattle. Established by La Société Guernesiaise in 2014, the herd grazes various areas on the island, eliminating the need for mechanical clearing while enhancing biodiversity. Herd manager Will Harford-Fox explained that the goats consume species cattle overlook, such as gorse, blackthorn, and brambles.
Upon their release, Governor of Guernsey Lt Gen Sir Richard Cripwell praised the goats' potential value in managing Guernsey's environment and highlighted the importance of promoting the goat species, which gained royal status from King Charles III in July 2024. Harford-Fox stated that the goats' introduction aligns with well-established conservation principles of mixed animal grazing, enabling them to strip bark and leaves from trees, eat spiky plants, and access areas inaccessible to cattle.
The goats currently graze separately from the cattle herd but hope to graze together on specific sites once introduced.
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