Goat herd to take up hillside maintenance duties

The 15 goats will join a herd of Soay sheep which are already grazing on the site

A herd of goats will be taking up maintenance duties on an area of protected hillside surrounding a landmark lion figure.

Fifteen Kashmir goats will be grazing the site of special scientific interest (SSSI) owned by Whipsnade Zoo which surrounds the 147m (483ft) chalk white lion in Bedfordshire.

The area is looked after by volunteers who are not allowed to use pesticides and machinery on the land.

Sarah Forsyth, curator of mammals at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) which runs the zoo, said: "It's lovely to have Kashmir goats at Whipsnade Zoo again, and the new herd will be doing some really important work to make sure our site is a place where all our wonderful wildlife can thrive."

The zoo cares for the surrounding area which includes the Whipsnade White Lion which was created in 1933 and use wildlife-friendly methods to protect the native plants and animals on the 600-acre site.

The goats will be able to graze on the site which is currently managed by volunteers who are unable to use machinery or pesticides there

The herd has been moved from the Great Orme headland in Llandudno after Conwy council, which was looking for new grazing pasture for the animals, contacted the zoo based on its experience of working with the breed before.

Ms Forsyth said: "We currently have around 20 volunteers who come and clear the lion each Thursday, which takes an enormous amount of effort and dedication.

"We are unable to use pesticides or machinery on our site due to the sensitivity of the biodiversity in the area, making the work of our volunteers and conservation grazers more vital than ever."

Also known as nannies, the goats will graze on thistles, brambles and nettles on the site and join a herd of Soay sheep who already live on the site.

"One of our Kashmir goats, Billy, was descended from the royal herd that lives on the Great Orme," Ms Forsyth added.

"He was selected to be the mascot for the Royal Welsh Regiment, and he served in the Army for eight years, before returning to Whipsnade Zoo for his retirement."