We are delighted to have secured Rare Breed status for an important herd of British Primitive Goats in the North Cheviots. These goats were already recognised by DEFRA and on the Native Breeds at Risk Register but with additional recognition from the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) we hope that more people will be committed to keeping some of these beautiful animals, helping to boost numbers and maintain genetic integrity and diversity.
There has been a flurry of press releases by RBST and an article in their journal, ‘The Ark’. See e.g. BBC News articles:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw4yellvz5vo
There are already some conservation grazing projects very successfully using Cheviot goats and we hope that more projects will become available.
Some goats from the parent feral herd may be available in the autumn of 2024 so if you are interested in acquiring any of these lovely animals then please contact britishprimitivegoats@gmail.com to discuss.
It is crucial that the genetic integrity of these goats is maintained as their breed characteristics are easily spoiled by intermixing with other goat breeds, or indeed goats from other feral herds.