A goat. Photograph: Getty
Rejoice, goat lovers, for the goats are saved! Readers may recall that a historic herd of about 70 wild goats living in a coastal valley were facing being culled because some locals had complained they were causing chaos in their gardens, allotments and cemetery.
Wild goats have roamed in the
Valley of the Rocks, outside Lynton in north Devon, for centuries (the Domesday book recorded 74 goats in the area) and have become a tourist attraction.
Lynton and Lynmouth town council originally sided with those who were against the goats, saying it would reduce their numbers to 30 by culling and relocation.
But last night councillors decided instead to erect a stock-proof fence and cattle grids around the valley.
The decision to cull and relocate goats was rescinded after the council received objections, including one from English Nature, and a 900-name petition from supporters of the goats.
A council spokesman said today that there were not currently too many goats as the valley was not overgrazed. However, some relocation would be needed when "saturation point" was reached.
A spokesman for the local Friends of the Goats group welcomed the alternative measures, but was still concerned about the future of the herd.
