Ancient goats in the line of fire

AMAZING the conundrums the world of nature throws up. We have a situation in the Burren, Co Clare, where a campaign is underway to save a herd of Old Irish goats, while 12,000 miles away in New Zealand the conservation authorities are intent in wiping out another ancient breed of goats.

Jane Murphy, of Ardsallagh Goats, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, a well-known supplier of goats milk products, is trying to create awareness of a plan in NZ to decimate Arapawa goats which live on Arapawa Island.

According to Murphy, the NZ Department of Conservation wants to cull the goats in order to protect a rare snail. The goats are also said to be a threat to plants and coastal vegetation.