A lack of males among goats living on Dalkey Island is a threat to the extinction of the herd .
Dalkey Island off Coliemore Harbour near the village of Dalkey in County Dublin is famous for its wild goat population. The goats have inhabited the tiny island since the early 1800s. It is believed the goats were originally brought over to provide milk for people living in the island's Martello Tower.
A Dún Laoghaire Borough Corporation veterinary officer intermittently visits the island to cull the goats to preserve the strain. However, the island goats are potentially in danger of extinction. The Dalkey Island goat population is down to just three female goats. The Dún Laoghaire Borough Corporation hopes to source a buck to help increase the herd.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 September 1979. The footage shown here is mute.
