Wild forest adventure - Feral goat (Capra hercus)
Code name
The Groundbreaker.
Status
Eats anything, anywhere, anytime.
Numbers
Estimated at up to 7 million.
Distribution
Widespread in rural areas.
Original purpose
Brought on the First Fleet to provide milk, meat, leather and wool.
Capabilities
Eats almost any plant, including the roots, which leaves large areas without vegetation. Cloven-hoofed feet break up the ground.
Problem
Eats the food supplies of native animals. Leaves large areas without vegetation to hold the soil together. Hoofs cause damage to plants and creates serious soil erosion.
Control
People must act responsibly:
- have pets desexed
- do not dump unwanted pets.
There are poisoning, trapping and shooting programs in place, with limited success.
