BOURNEMOUTH’S much-loved clifftop goats are set to double in numbers as part of a council-backed breeding programme.
A herd of at least 50 goats freely roam the cliffs at near Bournemouth Pier, with a new breeding project underway to expand this to around 100 between West Cliff to Southbourne.
Ten goats were first brought into the area in 2009 by the then Bournemouth Borough Council as an alternative to manage the vast cliffside vegetation, forming part of a long-term viable solution to heathland/acid grassland management.
Having grazed the area with goats for more than a decade, BCP Council has reported a “dramatic transformation of the habitat” and now want to introduce more to allow other habitats to thrive.
Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment and place, said: “Over many years we have tried various techniques to manage this sensitive and very important cliff top vegetation.
“For the last three years and following a ten-year trial at Honeycombe Chine we have found that conservation grazing with a herd of goats is an effective and safe way to manage the vegetation and restore the desired habitat along these steep cliffs.
“We work closely with a grazier who grazes around 50 goats spread between nine grazing compartments from Southbourne to Durley Chine.
“We are slowly increasing our numbers through a carefully managed breeding programme. Not only are the herd doing a great job of managing the vegetation and improving the habitat for other species to thrive – they also attract lots of attention from visitors.
“This management approach supports the council’s response to our 2019 climate an ecological emergency declaration. The grazing areas are funded by Natural England through a Higher Level Stewardship agreement.”
The cliffs in Bournemouth are nationally protected for their wildlife and geology. Most of their area is designated as either Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
It is understood the breeding plans intend to increase the numbers until the herd reach around 100 goats.
The goats are placed in groups to graze and the new arrivals are expected to join the herd on the cliffs in the spring.
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