The herd of Kashmiri mountain goats often cause chaos in the town of Llandudno (Pictures: Wales News Service)
These goats have become such terrors that an entire task force has been created with the sole purpose of keeping them out of trouble.
The herd of Kashmiri mountain goats made a name for themselves during lockdown when they started colonising the streets of Llandudno, north Wales.
They are often caught snacking on people’s hedges, running riot in the streets, sleeping in bus shelters and even brawling in the supermarket car park.
Now, the council has set up a special team to keep the wild animals on their home – the Great Orme headland near the seaside town.
The task force will also help keep the goats safe, as their antics have sometimes landed them in danger.
One was so badly injured after it was hit by a car that it had to be put down.
Councillor Chris Cater said: ‘They are not owned by anyone. They are on land on the Great Orme and in fact they were there quite comfortable until the pandemic lockdown.
The goats have been caught eating people’s hedges (Picture: Wales News Service)
The herd is notorious for causing trouble (Picture: Wales News Service)
The animals first started appearing on the streets during the first lockdown (Picture: Wales News Service)
The herd’s numbers expanded after they missed out on contraception because of Covid (Picture: SWNS)
‘Then they decided to move elsewhere. They really uplifted the people of Llandudno.
‘They were a joy to see, and they gave us a lot of good publicity, and I think we have to do the right thing for them. I entirely support this initiative.’
Fellow councillor Geoff Stewart: ‘Much maligned by some, much loved by others.
‘We should be very proud to have these wonderful animals on our doorstep. They are nowhere else in the UK, and it has been asked that we set up a group to establish a way forward for these.’
The goat team will work with Natural Resources Wales, RSPCA and local groups.
The herd is made up of descendants of the Kashmir mountain goats given to Llandudno as a gift from Queen Victoria around 100 years ago.
Their numbers skyrocketed last year when Covid restrictions made it difficult to organise contraception injections and the goats had a ‘baby boom’.
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The herd has caused havoc in the seaside town since the first lockdown.