Latest news with #goats
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Beach visitors warned not to pet cliffside goats
People have been warned that cliffside goat enclosures at a tourist hotspot are "not a petting zoo" after visitors were seen stroking the animals. Bournemouth Goats, a group responsible for managing the herd living next to the town's beaches, issued the warning on Facebook after two people were photographed petting the animals inside a fence. The animals were introduced as a natural solution to control cliffside vegetation, replacing the need for petrol-powered mowers. Herder Tanya Bishop said the fencing was there for a reason – to protect both the public and the goats. "They are not pets, and approaching them is not safe," she said. "The cliffs are dangerous. One wrong step could lead to serious injury – or worse." Ms Bishop explained that the male goats were not castrated, which made them more territorial and unpredictable. "They may look calm, but unfamiliar humans in their space can cause stress, panic, and herd disruption - especially during kidding season or when young ones are present. "Stress increases the risk of injury, weakened immunity, and changes in feeding patterns." The group is concerned that if someone is injured, the goats could ultimately suffer the consequences. "The second someone does get hurt, the goats are the ones who pay the price," Ms Bishop said. In addition to the risk posed by the animals, the terrain itself is hazardous. The cliffs are steep and unstable, with three landslips recorded last winter alone - one of which occurred near goats live on the East Cliff. In the past rangers have urged people to contact them rather than the emergency services if they spot any problems. The plea came after firefighters were called to the cliffs when a goat got its head stuck in a fence. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More on this story Litter pickers needed to keep goats safe Goat herd 'shouldn't need help from 999 services' Seaside resort's clifftop goat herd set to double Woman and dog escape as landslip hits beach huts Cliff collapses on to beach promenade
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Beach visitors warned not to pet cliffside goats
People have been warned that cliffside goat enclosures at a tourist hotspot are "not a petting zoo" after visitors were seen stroking the animals. Bournemouth Goats, a group responsible for managing the herd living next to the town's beaches, issued the warning on Facebook after two people were photographed petting the animals inside a fence. The animals were introduced as a natural solution to control cliffside vegetation, replacing the need for petrol-powered mowers. Herder Tanya Bishop said the fencing was there for a reason – to protect both the public and the goats. "They are not pets, and approaching them is not safe," she said. "The cliffs are dangerous. One wrong step could lead to serious injury – or worse." Ms Bishop explained that the male goats were not castrated, which made them more territorial and unpredictable. "They may look calm, but unfamiliar humans in their space can cause stress, panic, and herd disruption - especially during kidding season or when young ones are present. "Stress increases the risk of injury, weakened immunity, and changes in feeding patterns." The group is concerned that if someone is injured, the goats could ultimately suffer the consequences. "The second someone does get hurt, the goats are the ones who pay the price," Ms Bishop said. In addition to the risk posed by the animals, the terrain itself is hazardous. The cliffs are steep and unstable, with three landslips recorded last winter alone - one of which occurred near goats live on the East Cliff. In the past rangers have urged people to contact them rather than the emergency services if they spot any problems. The plea came after firefighters were called to the cliffs when a goat got its head stuck in a fence. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More on this story Litter pickers needed to keep goats safe Goat herd 'shouldn't need help from 999 services' Seaside resort's clifftop goat herd set to double Woman and dog escape as landslip hits beach huts Cliff collapses on to beach promenade
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Bournemouth beach visitors warned not to pet cliffside goats
People have been warned that cliffside goat enclosures at a tourist hotspot are "not a petting zoo" after visitors were seen stroking the Goats, a group responsible for managing the herd living next to the town's beaches, issued the warning on Facebook after two people were photographed petting the animals inside a animals were introduced as a natural solution to control cliffside vegetation, replacing the need for petrol-powered Tanya Bishop said the fencing was there for a reason – to protect both the public and the goats. "They are not pets, and approaching them is not safe," she said. "The cliffs are dangerous. One wrong step could lead to serious injury – or worse." Ms Bishop explained that the male goats were not castrated, which made them more territorial and unpredictable. "They may look calm, but unfamiliar humans in their space can cause stress, panic, and herd disruption - especially during kidding season or when young ones are present. "Stress increases the risk of injury, weakened immunity, and changes in feeding patterns."The group is concerned that if someone is injured, the goats could ultimately suffer the consequences."The second someone does get hurt, the goats are the ones who pay the price," Ms Bishop said. In addition to the risk posed by the animals, the terrain itself is hazardous. The cliffs are steep and unstable, with three landslips recorded last winter alone - one of which occurred near goats live on the East the past rangers have urged people to contact them rather than the emergency services if they spot any problems. The plea came after firefighters were called to the cliffs when a goat got its head stuck in a fence. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Northumberland goats GPS tracker scheme to be expanded
A scheme tracking goats via GPS technology is expanding as part of efforts to prevent overgrazing.A herd of 13 goats spending the summer at the Druridge Bay reserve in Northumberland will wear collars with GPS trackers that can alert them to stop at certain Wildlife Trust said the collars help protect sensitive areas such as ground-nesting bird sites and ensure the goats are in the right area when they need to be scheme, which has been trialled on cattle and goats for the last two years, is expanding to West Chevington where a free roaming herd of cattle will be introduced later this summer. Staff can draw invisible GPS boundaries around grazing areas to control access and prevent overgrazing."The GPS collars allow staff and volunteers to monitor their movements from a distance, thereby allowing them to continue with the important job of grazing the reserve for the benefit of the flowers and grasses," said Alex Lister from the charity. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Photos of Aussie tourist town reveal unlikely solution to major national issue
An impressive 12 hectares of potentially flammable land has been cleared from a picturesque tourist attraction thanks to a group of very hungry Aussie animals. For the past several weeks, ravenous goats have been working their way through thick vegetation in hard-to-reach areas of the Putta Bucca Wetlands — a disused quarry turned native paradise located just outside the western NSW town of Mudgee. From April to June, the animals were guided to dense areas where machinery could not reach, helping to reduce the bushfire risk at the popular outdoor spot ahead of summer, all while supporting the unique surroundings. 'The herd was moved progressively through the site to target over-vegetated areas while avoiding disturbance to environmentally sensitive zones,' Hollie Smith, an operational officer for NSW RFS — Cudgegong District, told Yahoo News. Video footage of the dozens of goats eagerly munching on long grass in steep, rocky and wet terrain has been praised by Aussies online, many of whom deemed the project a 'fantastic idea' and requested it be "conducted near their home". The clip also shows before and after images of the grazed areas, highlighting the stark difference the animals made. Goats remove invasive weed species, help regenerate native flora The goats, which grazed a total of 12.3 hectares, were confined using temporary fencing and 'strategically placed to match areas with high fuel loads or specific vegetation targets', Smith explained. 'They are only kept in each section for a short period — just long enough to effectively reduce the fuel loads.' And that's not the only benefit. 'The goats also consume invasive weed species and research shows that after passing through their four-chambered digestive system, only about 15 out of 1,000 seeds remain viable — helping support the natural regeneration of native flora by reducing weed competition,' Smith told Yahoo. The animals were supplied and managed by Dry Creek Farm at Mudgee. The local contractor specialising in targeted land management via grazing runs a herd of about 200 goats, with a rotating number used on individual jobs. Rare species tracked down in remote Aussie creek Cyclists' discovery in forest highlights growing Aussie issue: 'Prolific' Dead scientist's 'time capsule' in vault key to resurrecting Aussie species Goats utilised across NSW as part of ongoing grazing trial The project is part of a continuing trial into targeted grazing that was developed by NSW RFS in response to the state government's inquiry into the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. 'Putta Bucca was identified in the Cudgegong District Bush Fire Risk Management Plan and, due to its proximity to residential areas, environmental significance, and limited machinery access caused by thick vegetation growth, it was considered an ideal location for the trial,' Smith said. Similar trials have been conducted in various areas of the state as part of an ongoing effort to explore alternative hazard reduction methods, including the South Coast, the Liverpool Ranges, and the Wellington Caves near Dubbo. The trial was also carried out in Clandulla late last year following a wetter-than-average spring, Smith said. 'Another site that has been grazed within the past four years is along the Lue railway corridor. In both locations, the local communities have enjoyed seeing the goats in action and have taken a strong interest in the valuable role this method plays in bushfire risk management.' Several countries utilise goats to help clear flammable vegetation including the US, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
