Feral goats

Controlling goats

Goats arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 as a source of meat and milk. Feral goat herds established when domestic goats escaped, were abandoned or were deliberately released. Feral goats are now found in all states and territories of Australia, as well as some off-shore islands. They cost the agricultural industry millions of dollars each year and pose a significant threat to biodiversity and landscape health. They decimate pasture, crops and fences, cause erosion to hillsides and watercourses, spread weeds, prevent regeneration of native vegetation and impact our vulnerable ecosystems. 'Competition and land degradation by feral goats’ is listed as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Feral goats also pose a serious health risk to humans, livestock and native animals. They can spread notifiable diseases such as footrot, and possibly even exotic animal diseases (such as foot-and-mouth) if introduced to Australia. Feral goats have no natural predators in the Hills and Fleurieu. This, combined with their fast reproductive rate, means they are very high in number, and need to be controlled.

Regional Grazing Pressure management of feral goats

Grazing pressure from large herbivores can have substantial impacts on primary production, native vegetation, and threatened flora and fauna. The Regional Grazing Pressure Management project implements a strategic and coordinated approach to reducing the impacts of feral goats, feral deer and impact-causing western grey kangaroos in the Hills and Fleurieu region.

In partnership with National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, Primary Industries and Regions SA, Forestry SA, SA Water and private landholders, the project delivers grazing pressure management through specialist staff-led operations, and the use of contractors and volunteers to deliver targeted outcomes. We are working towards an eradication target for feral goats in our region, and supporting PIRSA with their 10-year SA feral deer eradication program.

If you see any feral goats, it's really important to report it.

How to report sightings of feral goats

The FeralScan website allows the reporting of feral species sightings and will trigger an alert to our grazing pressure management team, who can better understand where sub-populations are residing and how to best plan control programs.

Report a feral goat sighting here

Alternatively, contact Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu on 8391 7500 or email hf.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au

What is being done to manage pests?

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board has a clearly defined approach to managing pests. The pest management hierarchy recommends management actions for target pest plants and animals. This helps improve detection and response to new and existing pests based on their invasiveness, impact, potential distribution and feasibility of containing it.