| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The wild goat, part of Mallorcas natural heritage
| Text: Aina Bosch, Photo: Direcció General de Caça i Pesca, Govern de les Illes Balears |
Mallorcas Sierra de Tramuntana is an amazing landscape famous for its breathtaking views. Visitors to this northern region of the island are spellbound by the extensive fields of olive groves and dense forests of oak. The Sierras most important inhabitants, the Mallorcan wild goat, are a species unique to the island and one of the first to have been introduced by man many centuries ago. Initially they were domestic animals but they soon adapted to the islands environment and today roam free in the mountains in large numbers.
This autochthonous species is easily distinguishable from other herds by its red hair and the black marks that line its belly and spine. There are also some important differences between the males and females. The bocs, as the male rams are known, have a larger and more robust horn. The strains of black hair that line their faces grow into a beard as they get older. It is not unusual for both male and female to be found grazing on their own.
The Mallorcan goats existence is extremely important to the region, not just because they add to the charm of the Sierra de Tramuntana, but because their grazing prevents the build up of dried vegetation, reducing the risk of forest fires during the hot summer season.
Historically, the Sierra (meaning mountain range) was the hunting-ground for peasants. They would catch the goats using cans de bestiar, a unique breed of sheep dog. The hunter would then put a lasso round the neck of the caught goat and drag his catch home. Today this practice has disappeared which has has caused problems in stemming their breeding. Environmental experts claim that there are now too many goats and that they are posing a serious threat to the rich local vegetation. They maintain that there are around 20,000 wild goats for every 0.4 per hectare of land. Roughly translated, this means that around two-thirds of the goat population in certain areas need to be culled. Another problem that is emerging is the gradual year-on-year deterioration of this particular species in the face of other breeds of domestic goat. Cross-breeding is starting to pose a serious threat to the Mallorca goat. | |
Antoni Gomez, the Balearic governments Director General of Animal Protection and Environmental Education, explains that his department has launched a special programme aimed at resolving this problem. The Mallorcan goat has unique and distinctive characteristics which make it part of Mallorcas natural heritage and for this reason it has to be cared for.
The Government is beginning to cull crossbred goats on public and private estates at the owners discretion. This way we can limit crossbreeding and over-population. We are also introducing genetically pure goats which will help to create a stronger foundation for the species. Finally, the Director General said the wild Mallorcan goat is considered a hunting trophy, so by preserving the species we are now giving something back to the old farmers in the region for all their hard work.
This particular breed of single-horned goat is already officially recognised by the Safari International Club, an organisation dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, environmental education, and the protection of hunters rights. The wild Mallorcan goat has become emblematic of Mallorca and not without reason. Apart from being unique, it is one of the most beautiful inhabitants to roam the forests. |
|
|
| |
|
| |
