Damon Mcknight
Feral goats, or wild goats, are an invasive species in Australia. They are found across the country and on many offshore islands, causing economic and environmental damage through overgrazing and competition with livestock and native marsupials. The current population is a mixture of breeds, including Angora, Cashmere, Anglo-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen, and Toggenburg. Goats were first brought to Australia by European settlers in the 18th century and have since spread across 35% of the country. They are considered pests in many areas and are controlled through recreational hunting, aerial shooting, and government-led programs. Feral goats are social animals, forming herds and seeking out water sources. They are susceptible to various diseases and have several predators, including wild dogs, dingoes, and large eagles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Estimated at 4.9 million in 2020 |
| Population distribution | Found in all states and the Australian Capital Territory, but rare in the Northern Territory |
| Highest density | Arid and semi-arid rangelands of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia |
| Pest status | Declared as 'established pest animals' in Victoria and Tasmania; regarded as pests in Western Australia and on islands |
| Origins | Mixed, including Angora, Cashmere, Anglo-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg breeds |
| Weight | Adults: 40-60 kg; Kids: 2.6 kg at birth |
| Diet | Generalist herbivores, eating foliage, twigs, bark, flowers, fruit, roots, plant litter, seeds, fungi, and a variety of plants |
| Water consumption | 2-4.5 L per day, depending on temperature, humidity, and reproductive status |
| Breeding | Peak in autumn; influenced by environmental factors like drought, population dynamics, food and water availability |
| Population growth | Potential to double every 1.6 years without human intervention |
| Predators | Wild dogs, dingoes, saltwater crocodiles, feral pigs, foxes, large eagles |
| Diseases | Susceptible to endemic diseases like bluetongue and exotic livestock diseases |
| Management | Control programs, hunting, shooting from helicopters, Judas goat technique, promotion and coordination of goat control |
| Commercial value | Commercial exploitation is an industry worth about $29 million a year |
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What You'll Learn
Feral goats are an invasive species in Australia
Feral goats are generalist herbivores, eating foliage, twigs, bark, flowers, fruit, roots, plant litter, seeds, and fungi. They have a preference for certain weeds, such as blackberry, briar, serrated tussock, and thistles, and are used as a biological method of controlling these infestations. However, they can also damage vegetation, soil, and native fauna in overgrazed pastoral land. Feral goats can break up the soil crust with their hooves, leading to wind and water erosion and slips in steep areas. They also compete with native animals for shelter, especially in rock caves, and their dung can eutrophicate water, impacting freshwater biota.
The greatest numbers of feral goats are found in the arid and semi-arid pastoral regions of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. They are considered a significant agricultural and environmental pest in these areas. Feral goats are social animals, living in herds, and they are susceptible to several endemic diseases currently found in Australia, such as bluetongue. Their predators include wild dogs, dingoes, feral pigs, foxes, saltwater crocodiles, and large eagles.
Feral goat populations are managed in different ways across Australia. In Victoria, they are declared as 'Established Pest Animals' under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, and landowners must take steps to control them. In the Australian Capital Territory, they are managed by the Parks and Conservation Service when they trespass on national parks and reserves. In Tasmania, unowned goats are defined as feral under the Animal Health Bill and can be controlled if they present a stock disease problem.
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Goat populations can double every 1.6 years
Feral goats, or wild goats, are an invasive species in Australia. They first arrived in the 18th century with European settlers and are now found across the country. Feral goats are considered pests in many regions due to their impact on agriculture and the environment. They compete with livestock and native marsupials for resources and contribute to overgrazing. The ability of goat populations to double every 1.6 years without human intervention or control exacerbates these concerns.
Goats are generalist herbivores, consuming a variety of foliage, twigs, bark, flowers, fruit, roots, plant litter, seeds, and even fungi. They are selective feeders, favouring certain shrubs, grasses, or herbs depending on their location and season. This adaptability in diet, along with their ability to breed throughout the year, contributes to their successful proliferation. While environmental factors like drought, food availability, and predation influence breeding patterns, all sexually mature female goats typically come into season simultaneously, leading to population surges.
The genetic diversity of Australia's feral goats reflects their mixed origins. The population comprises various breeds, including Angora, Cashmere, Anglo-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen, and Toggenburg. These goats were initially introduced for meat, milk, and the fibre industry, but some were abandoned when that industry collapsed in the 1920s. Goats were also deliberately released or accidentally escaped, establishing wild populations.
Feral goats are prevalent in western New South Wales, with an estimated population of 4.9 million in 2020. They are also found in high densities in arid and semi-arid rangelands across Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. Their distribution is influenced by factors such as food, water, and shelter availability, as well as the presence of predators like wild dogs, dingoes, and large eagles.
The rapid growth of feral goat populations in Australia has led to concerns about their impact on the environment and local industries. Their ability to double in number every 1.6 years without intervention underscores the need for effective management strategies. These strategies include recreational hunting, aerial shooting, and coordinated control programs implemented by government agencies and landowners.
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Predators include wild dogs, dingoes, and eagles
Feral goats are an invasive species in Australia, causing economic and environmental damage through overgrazing and competition with livestock and native marsupials. They are found across Australia, occurring on many offshore islands. They are most prevalent in western New South Wales, which had an estimated population of 4.9 million in 2020.
Feral goats are susceptible to several diseases, including Ovine Johne's Disease, foot-and-mouth, rinderpest, rabies, and blue tongue. They are also potential vectors of various exotic diseases. Feral goats are preyed upon by several predators, including wild dogs, dingoes, and eagles.
Wild dogs are the main predators of adult goats and play a significant role in influencing their distribution. In northern Australia, goats are rarely present unless wild dogs are absent or their population is controlled. Dingoes are also significant predators of feral goats and are found throughout Australia.
Eagles, particularly wedge-tailed eagles, are another predator of feral goats, primarily preying upon goat kids. Feral goats are also vulnerable to foxes, which are the primary predators of goat kids in eastern Australia.
The presence of these predators, along with other factors such as food and water availability and human control efforts, helps regulate feral goat populations in Australia.
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Goats were introduced to Australia by European settlers
Goats were initially concentrated near settlement areas, but they have since spread across 35% of Australia and are found in all states and the Australian Capital Territory. They are most prevalent in western New South Wales, which had an estimated feral goat population of 4.9 million in 2020. Feral goats are considered pests in many areas due to their impact on the environment and native species. They are generalist herbivores, eating a wide range of foliage, twigs, bark, flowers, fruit, and roots, and can outcompete native species for food. Feral goats have been implicated in the decline of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby in South Australia, for example.
Feral goats also occupy conservation areas, with an estimated total area of 11,400 square kilometres in 101 conservation reserves in New South Wales in 1996. They are also present on many Australian offshore islands, including those with important conservation values such as Lord Howe Island. Island populations are generally considered pests, although the feral goats on North Goulburn Island are used for trophy hunting and provide food for the Aboriginal owners.
In addition to their environmental impacts, feral goats can also carry diseases that can affect livestock. They are susceptible to several endemic diseases currently found in Australia, such as bluetongue, and can also carry exotic livestock diseases that are not yet present in the country.
Despite being considered a pest in many areas, feral goats do have some benefits. They are used as a biological method of controlling weeds such as blackberry, briar, and serrated tussock. They are also a source of meat, with 2,364,307 goats slaughtered in Australia in 2023, and Australia is the world's largest exporter of goat meat.
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Goats are a resource for meat, skin, and fibre production
Goats are a valuable resource for meat, skin, and fibre production. They are found worldwide and are well-adapted to various environments, making them an important source of protein and other products.
Goats are a good source of meat, with their meat being lean red meat with a unique flavour and palatability. Goat meat is a staple in many countries and is becoming increasingly popular in the US. The meat is typically less tender than lamb, but proper handling and care of the animals can improve its quality.
Goats are also valued for their skin, which is used to produce leather. In addition, goat fibre is highly prized, with Angora goats producing luxurious mohair, and other breeds yielding precious cashmere. Mohair is known for its softness, durability, flame resistance, and dye compatibility. Cashmere, on the other hand, is sought after for its soft, warm, and long-wearing characteristics.
Goats can also be dual-purpose breeds, kept mainly for meat production and milk at a medium or low level. Goat milk is chosen for its unique taste and health benefits, and it is the primary milk source for many people worldwide. Goat dairy products include cheese, yoghurt, and butter.
In Australia, feral goats are considered pests in some states and have caused economic and environmental damage through overgrazing and competition with livestock and native marsupials. However, some pastoralists have proposed establishing managed populations of feral goats for meat and cashmere production in Western Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, wild goats are considered pests in Australia, where they cause economic and environmental damage through overgrazing and competition with livestock and native marsupials. They are declared as established pest animals in the state of Victoria under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.
The current wild goat populations in Australia are a mixture of breeds, including Angora, Cashmere, Anglo-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg. They first arrived in the 18th century with European settlers and their populations have since spread across 35% of Australia and many offshore islands.
Wild goats are generalist herbivores that eat foliage, twigs, bark, flowers, fruit and roots. They will also eat plant litter, seeds, fungi and a wide range of plants in the pastoral zone of Australia, including poisonous or bitter plants and species avoided by sheep and cattle.
Wild dogs and dingoes are the most significant predators of wild goats in Australia. Feral pigs, foxes and large eagles may also prey upon them, particularly the young.
