Campaigners are pressing for goats to receive fully-protected status
Campaigners fighting to save wild goats on Langholm Moor have reacted with anger to the Scottish Government’s announcement that it does not have any plans to help the animals by granting them full legal protected status.
There are many mentions of wild goats in Scotland’s history – including herds round Ben Lomond during the time of Robert the Bruce and the island of Eileen nan Gobhar was well known in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s day.
Wild goats have been roaming the moors between Newcastleton and Langholm for centuries, but in February of this year new landowners Oxygen Conservation began culling the animals. They said it was to satisfy Scottish Government requirements before they could get grants for tree planting.
The move infuriated local people especially as the cull was timed to take place while the nannies were birthing their young.
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