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Feral Goat: Gabhan Fia: Capra hircus.

(The species was once domesticated, but now living wild)

Small, shaggy, sure-footed and agile with horns sweeping outwards or backwards, wild in mountainous areas for more than 1,000 years, and elusive, describes the truly feral goat. They may have escaped from the domestic herd of the late Stone Age Farmer and are closely related to Sheep.

Here in Doon, if it is a fine day, you may be honoured by a brief appearance of 2 male (ram), 2 female before they briskly disappear to resume their cropping of the shoreline shrubs and trees. Though destructive (in large numbers) of seedling trees, they are generally helpful in limiting bramble, briar, ivy, gorse, stinging nettles and other weeds.

Our goats don't like the discomforts of bad weather and consequently their appearance here is an indicator of good weather. They avail of shelter in Castlecarra (noble pretensions!) or the less lofty cave (on the archaeology trail). They have the ability to swim but only in the interest of self-preservation! In courtship the males chose the females and spectacular fights can ensue. "As agile as a goat' is an aspiration for many of us but, 'as smelly as a goat" is not to be envied!

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