Weed-eating goats return to Lethbridge for another summer of yum

CTV News

20 hours ago

The City of Lethbridge has rehired 205 weed-eating goats to graze various neighbourhoods in the summer of 2025
The goats of summer are back in Lethbridge for another weed-eating season.
The city posted the news on its social media Thursday,
'The great grazin' goats (not their official title…) are eating their way through leafy spurge, wormwood and thistle,' they wrote. 'It's their seventh annual tour of duty in Lethbridge.'
The goats will be herded between three different communities over the coming weeks, starting with two weeks at Indian Battle/Botterill Bottom Parks until June 23.
Lethbridge goats, June 12, 2025
Over 200 goats will be grazing various Lethbridge parks this summer, their seventh season of weed eating.
(Karsen Marczuk)
Then, they move to Alexander Wilderness Park from June 23 through July 7, followed by Pavan Park from July 7 to 21.
On Aug. 6, they'll repeat the cycle, spending a week in each location to clean up any regrowth that occurs.
The goats have done such a good job over the past six years, their area of coverage may be expanded, a parks spokesperson said.
'After six years, spurge in their typical grazing areas is coming up very sparse,' says Jackie Cardinal, Parks Natural Resource Coordinator. 'So, we might be able to move their buffet into the Nature Reserve, north of the train bridge, for a few days, like we did last year.'
The goats are looked after by a skilled herder and a team of dogs, who help guide them and keep them safe from predators.
While the dogs are friendly, residents are asked to keep their dogs on a leash away from the herd to allow the goats to do their jobs.
For more information on the grazing goats, go here.