Royal Golden Guernsey goats join conservation cattle herd
Royal Golden Guernsey goats have been introduced to a conservation herd in Guernsey to assist in managing the island's environment. The goats will graze on scrub and spiky plants that cattle typically avoid, helping to improve local biodiversity.
Why it matters
Integrating different species into conservation grazing is an effective, sustainable method for land management and habitat restoration.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Macey Turner Guernsey BBC The six-month-old goats will graze conservation areas around the island Three Royal Golden Guernsey goats have joined the island's conservation herd, which was previously made up of only Guernsey cattle.
The herd was established by La Société Guernesiaise in 2014 to graze areas around the island, removing the need for mechanical cutting while improving biodiversity.
Herd manager Will Harford-Fox said the goats would eat species cattle missed, including gorse, blackthorn and brambles.
The goats were welcomed on their release by Governor of Guernsey Lt Gen Sir Richard Cripwell, who said: "They can make a really valuable contribution to how Guernsey manages its own environment in the future."
He added that the milestone also provided an important step in the conservation of the goat species, which received its royal title from King Charles III in July 2024.
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