Goat a load of this.
Fingal County Council has announced a conservation grazing project which will see a group of Old Irish Goats reintroduced to Howth Head in Dublin in an effort to reduce wildfires in the area.
The scheme, which will last for three years, is a partnership project between Fingal County Council and the Old Irish Goat Society with support from the Howth Special Amenity Area Order (SAAO).
Originating from the national herd in Mulranny in Mayo, 25 of the native breed of goats arrived today (Wednesday, 8 September) in their new home.
Up until the 1940s, Howth Head was traditionally grazed by livestock and goats in particular.
“However, with the decline of traditional grazing, wildfires became more frequent, gorse and bracken growth expanded and the diversity and quality of the heathland declined,” Fingal County Council said in a statement.
It stated the new goats in Howth will play an important role in managing growth to reduce fire risk to homes, while also enhancing biodiversity in the area.
“The Old Irish goat has the ability to control the accumulation of gorse, especially after fires, and due to their grazing behaviour and efficient digestive systems, adapt to feeding on harsher environments with low nutritive quality heathlands. They effectively offer a more economical and sustainable solution to managing the landscape,” the council added.
“There is a clear link between the disappearance of livestock and the decline of the heathland on Howth,” said Biodiversity Officer with Fingal County Council Hans Visser.
“By reinstating grazing with goats, we intend to restore the heathland and reduce the wildfire risk on Howth.”
A breeding programme is also being run by the Old Irish Goat society to conserve the critically endangered species of goat.
The project will utilise traditional methods of management, including a goat herder and sheepdogs.
Herder Melissa Jeuken says the goats’ presence will not affect visitors to the popular beauty spot.
“We are reminding the public to keep their dog on a lead and ask you to please not to feed the goats if you encounter them,” she said.
“You can and should keep visiting this incredible place and enjoying the walking routes and scenery that Howth has to offer.”
For more information about the project, visit Fingal County Council’s website here.
Main image via Orla Murray/Coalesce
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