Conservationists call for measures to protect Waterford's feral goat herd.
Conservationists have called on the government to put in place measures to protect wild goat herds following claims that a herd in Waterford may be under threat. Martin Doyle, Bilberry goat herd keeper says that an area overlooking Waterford city centre is the last remaining urban habitat for wild goats in the world.
It is believed that this herd of wild goats have lived on the hill at Bilberry overlooking Rice Bridge for hundreds of years. There are currently 20 adults and 8 kid goats in this herd.
The hillside at Bilberry Rock is one of the last undeveloped areas in and around the city centre. Catherine Carroll, Bilberry Goat Herd Preservation Trust says
We want to see them roam and graze as they always have done.
Campaigners want to safeguard the future of the goats and have collected 11,000 signatures to present to Waterford City Council to help look after the goats as they are not a protected species under the Wildlife Act.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 July 2006. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.
