Arapawa goat
A critically endangered feral goat from New Zealand.
The Arapawa goat is a feral breed from Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand. It is considered critically close to extinction. Evidence suggests the goats are direct descendants of the extinct Olde English breed. Captain James Cook released goats on the island in 1773 and gave another pair to a Māori chief in 1777. By 1839 a visitor noted the island swarmed with goats. The breed survived a cull in the 1970s through the efforts of Betty Rowe. A regular cull by the Department of Conservation continues. As of January 2018, there could be as few as 150 goats worldwide.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Arapawa Island, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
- Status
- Critically close to extinction
- Historical release
- 1773 by Captain James Cook
- Second release
- 1777, a pair given to a Māori chief
- Key preservation figure
- Betty Rowe
Facts from the source article.
More in Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy
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