Thursday, May 28, 2020

Creature Feature: Kashmiri Goats of Llandudno

There are upsides to the pandemic if you look hard enough: less traffic, more quiet, cleaner air and more wildlife visible to the eye.  Animals seem to be enjoying the lockdown as they wander into our streets and yards in the absence of humans.  You probably have seen this video of goats roaming the empty streets of Llandudno, Wales:



The goats are Kashmiri, Capra markhor, given by Queen Victoria to start a kashmir wool industry in the area. She kept a large heard at Windsor. The goats have impressive horns and a strong odor. They usually roam Great Orme, which towers over the town, but came to town when humans made themselves scarce during the lock down, perhaps for curiosity or for a fondness of privet hedges. They still behave like the mountain goats from their native land. Mothers leave their offspring on tiny ledges for safekeeping while they forage. They avoid humans when they can, melting into the vegetation, and only occasionally venture into town, especially when foul weather approaches. Generally they are good neighbors who keep to themselves. Attempts to cull the herd has meet with stiff resistance from townsfolk. A study found unique characteristics have evolved during almost two centuries of isolation making the Llandudno goats a distinct subspecies worth preserving.

The freedom enjoyed by our wild neighbors and perhaps some humans too, will end soon with the resumption of frenzied economic activity, so, like the goats, enjoy this brief respite while it lasts.