Petition for Protection of Ancient Wild Goats Presented to MSPs
Campaigners advocating for the protected status of an ancient herd of wild goats are set to have their case examined by the Scottish Parliament. Over 22,000 individuals have signed a petition urging protection for the wild goats inhabiting the moorlands between Langholm and Newcastleton.
Some landowners have contended that the goat population is excessive and that culling the herd would mitigate their environmental impact.
The Wild Goat Conservation Trust (WGCT) emphasized the importance of the goats to local communities and urged members of the parliament's petitions committee to consider this aspect carefully.
One local resident, Nicola Hood, who has lived in the area for nearly seven years, expressed a strong personal connection to the goats.
"They are very special to me, they just make it home really," she said.
"They are the heart of this place - there is not anything else like them."
She also voiced concerns about the potential extinction of the goats if culling continues.
Calls for Coordinated Management and Protected Status
David Braithwaite, chairman of the WGCT, advocated for a more coordinated strategy in managing the goat population.
"There are a number of landowners who are taking the option to cull the goats before we actually know what the overall population is," he stated.
"Protected status is everything because it will compel landowners to come together to agree on the overarching management of the entire herd.
That way we can end up with a sustainable population of wild goats.
These wild goats are ancient - they have been on these hills for a very long time."
Oxygen Conservation, a rewilding company that acquired a portion of the moor in 2023, clarified that it does not intend to eradicate the goats. The company noted that goat numbers have significantly increased beyond historic levels and highlighted the necessity of managing the entire landscape.
Government and NatureScot Position on Goat Protection
The Scottish government has indicated it does not plan to grant protected status to the feral goats but will consider the petitions committee's recommendations.
In a written submission regarding the petition, NatureScot acknowledged the strong public sentiment surrounding the issue.
However, NatureScot described feral goats as an invasive non-native species capable of causing significant harm to the natural environment.
It further noted that goat populations could rapidly increase if not properly managed and recommended collaborative engagement among landowners to develop a sustainable management plan.
Legal Status and Campaigners' Goals
Currently, culling goats in Scotland is legal provided animal welfare standards are maintained, as the goats are not classified as a protected species.
Campaigners aim to persuade Scottish government ministers to grant the wild goats protected status to ensure their conservation and sustainable management.
