No butts with Ardrishaig’s feral goats

But plenty of garden munching.

The Loch Fyneside village of Ardrishaig has reported the long presence of a small herd of feral goats to the Council through its Community Council.

The herd – said to consist of 2 males, 6 females and 2 kids – used to be timid but are  now so accustomed to people that they are  no longer afraid of them. Residents say that the billy goats now comfortably hold their place as people walk past them.

While fears are advanced that they might ‘turn’ aggressive and attack a child, their newfound ease with humanity would suggest that there hs not yet been evidence of aggression – simply a lack of fear. This means that they can’t be chased off gardens as they used to be.

The Council has said that, since it has been unable to trace an owner, there is nothing it can do – which seems limp.

Culling would be distressing – yesterday’s (8th March) Daily Mail had a photograph of the two billlies and an attractive pair they made.

Surely this is a case where SNH expertise has an active role to play. There is a significant herd of ferals at the north end of the Isle of Jura where, of course, there is no community with which they interact – but in these days when bureaucracy is king, there must be a policy somewhere.