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Call to protect ancient goats from moorland cull

Nichola Rutherford
BBC Scotland News
Malcolm Richardson A billy goat standing on moorland. It has largely black hair with a white patch down his face. It has two large curved horns. Malcolm Richardson
This billy goat, nicknamed Boris, is among those which local campaigners are trying to protect.

A campaign has been launched to protect an ancient herd of wild goats on a moor in the south of Scotland amid an outcry about a cull.

The goats roam across Langholm Moor including 11,000 acres (4,450 ha) recently purchased by rewilding company Oxygen Conservation.

They say there has been a "massive increase" in the goat population since 2023 and they need to reduce numbers to allow trees to grow on the estate.

A cull which took place earlier this year has been paused and campaigners hope to prevent it re-starting by securing protected status for the ancient breed.

Malcolm Richardson A billy goat standing proud in rough ground. It has black fleece, with some lighter brown/blond streaks. Its horns curve down towards its back. Malcolm Richardson
Experts say the Langholm goats appear to be a good example of a British primitive goat

The cull was stopped after an outcry among locals but Oxygen Conservation told BBC Scotland News they intend to resume later this year.

Campaigners dispute claims that the population of goats has increased markedly, insisting they are a vital part of the ecosystem which s rare hen harriers.

David Braithwaite, an ecologist and sheep farmer from nearby Newcastleton, said he feared the cull would put the goats on "edge of extinction" and he said it was "completely unethical" to carry out the cull during the breeding season.

"We believe these goats have a place here, they've had a place here for thousands of years so why should they stop that now"A girl and boy, both in wheelchairs, feeding a white goat with green leaves through a metal fence. Both children have their backs to camera. The girl is wearing a pink T-shirt and the boy is wearing a dark top. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/>

The urban goats eating into children's screen time

Pupils have been meeting and feeding the goats on school trips and with their families.

17 Apr 2025
Bristol